Collet Source

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 I found this company online, a maker and supplier of router collets in Toledo, Ohio. Since Porter Cable collets are listed as unavailable on repair part sites, I ordered here today. Elaire Corp 1-419-843-2192. Many brands available. They will also make custom collets, but I don't know about pricing for custom work. 

I found this on LJ's and thought it might be valuable info. since Porter Cable went out of the router business

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

10 Replies

That's great they're making them and have sizes beyond the normal 1/4" and 1/2" but they're not particularly cheap, not that anything is after allowing runaway inflation.  I find used PC routers regularly for between $15 & $25 and I'll buy them all at that price if I don't have to go far out of my way to get them.  Often they'll come with both collets which makes the router itself essentially free.
sad that PC gave up the router business. they were a top contender at on time. ive got quite a few collets that i will hoard till i die.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

PC was the standard for after market stuff.....to include not only bushings for freehanding, but a lot of the brands of lifts too!  someone said that triton bought the rights to the 3 1/4 soft start PC....anybody bought one yet?

Mike

It is sad about Porter Cable because they made great routers. I bought one of the last trim routers that were on the market and I love it. It has full aluminum ring around it to adjust the cutter height. I see the ones on the market now have chincy adjustment methods with a lot of plastic and they work rough.

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

I am glad I bought a 3/8 collet while still could.  Muscle chuck might be an alternative.  I have not tried them yet but it looks interesting.  My  PC routers require 2 wrenches which is a pain on a router table and especially on my CNC where I make frequent bit changes for one job.  

--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

Supposedly these folks have everything Sauter Shop I've looked, but never ordered, so no clue about speed, or service, just they show a lot of collets.

I'm with Nathan. I absolutely hated the collet with Bosch 1617EVSPK So I replaced it with a Muscle Chuck, cost a bit more, but it's the best collet I have ever used. Use that router all the time now.

I do NOT have one, but there is also a lower priced chuck company called Eliminator Chuck. I've heard good things about them, and if I ever got another router that I disliked the chuck, I would try one.

Porter Cable is a once fabled company that some duds made into a household level tool line, and they have become junk. Sad how these things happen. 

Best of luck getting something that will work for you. 
Too late to edit. I was looking at parts anyhow, and came across Elair Corp in Ohio.

Porter cable page

Duh, well if I read the post...... :-)
They are not cheap. But if you have to have one..they have 'em..............Cheers, Jim

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

I took over dad's Bosch router in 2008. The half inch collet was missing. Wanting a 1/2" collet started doing a thorough online search, none available. even called Bosch, nada.  This is a good source, will add to my phone contacts. 

Was looking through the stuff DW and I brought home found the 1/2" collet. Made me very happy.  

daveg, SW Washington & AZ

Hey, Glad if it can help you keep on woodworking, Dave...Have a great weekend...Jim

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day