EX 2080 Xtreme Xtension Professional Router Bit/Collet Extension

I recently added this little helper to my old table mounted Freud FT2000E.Upon arrival I opened the packaging and inspected the product, finding it to be a really nice quality piece. The enclosed product literature initially looked like it was just a single piece of paper with the usual product advertising front and back, but this is not the case. If you remove the paper from the plastic packaging, you'll find that it actually contains the product installation instructions, instructions for correctly setting up and using the including 1/4 inch collect adapter, and a handy speed chart for various size router bits.Following the manufacturers installation procedures and suggestions I cleaned the entire assembly and installed the extension. Again following the instructions, I checked for runout using a dial indictor mounted on a mag-base for greater accuracy. I quickly discovered that I had a .003 deviation. I remounted the extension several more times, following the manufacturers advice, but I still kept coming up with a .003 deviation. This is acceptable but I wanted better.At this point, I removed the extension and chucked up a roundover bit alone, and checked that. To my surprise I still had a .003 deviation without the extension. Okay, it was time to get serious...I put the dial indicator on the shaft of the router and found it to be true within .0003.I then installed and seated the collet with the extension but did not tighten the collect nut, and checked it again. Now the extension was reading true within .0003, the same as the router shaft itself, no deviation.I tightened the collet nut and the deviation once again changed to .003I did this several times and noted that the deviation always corresponded to a particular spot on the shaft, so I marked it, and then completely loosened the nut and started snugging it down again. This time however, as I was slowly tightening the collect nut, I tapped the body of the extension with a rubber mallet in the opposite direction of spot I had marked on the shaft. Once the collet nut was tight I checked the assembly again, and this time it was turning true to the shaft at .0003.Bottom line, my router is running truer now than it ever has. Of course now it's so much easier to change bits at the table. No more crouching down, reaching under the table to change bits.My next project will be the installation of the Router Tech plunge router lift. When and if it ever shows up here from Amazon.

I use a Bosch 1617EVS in a router table extension on my Powermatic table saw. It incorporates a Jessem router lift. I purchased this item primarily to get more bit height with 1/4" bits because the router lift uses an adapter plate that decreases the height of the router body. Once I installed it, I was amazed at how many other valuable things this device allows you to do. I'll get to those in a sec but first, let's discuss quality. This thing is impressive in its finely machined finish and excellent balance. The minute you see it, you know you bought quality. When properly set in the 1/2" collett, this thing acually reduces the vibration levels I experience using the standard collett without the extension. Once set up, you can actually run your 1/2" shank bits to determine which of them are out of balance. That's a big deal when you're using large profile bits like raised panel cutters. I can further optimize the smoothness by adjusting router speed.As it turned out, I got much more than I bargained for thanks to the ingenious design of this adaptor. I can switch all bits (1/4" or 1/2") from above the table using a quarter-turn allen screw. No more wrenches! I often make production runs using 1/2" shank bits. Before the run is over, I usually have to clean the bit before continuing. Before buying this adaptor, that meant tedious reset-up efforts to ensure uniformity throughout the run. Because the bit bottoms in the adaptor and can be removed from above the table, now I can remove the bit for cleaning and reinstall it without losing set-up. WOW! This thing saves me a ton of time. If you are a busy shop, I highly recommend it.

This is a well constructed bit extension that worked flawlessly and accomplished its purpose for me. For those with either automatic or manual router height adjustment, it will be necessary to lower the router motor in its mount due to the increased reach of the extension. All in all, a very good product.

When I received my new router EX 2080 bit/collet extension, I opened the package, read all the material that came with it and followed the directions as best I could.But - and this is a big but - I almost ruined a $100 piece of walnut before I realized that something was terribly wrong. The vibration was awful. I re-read the (minimal) instructions and tried again - same problem. By then, I was pretty upset and ready to send the thing back.But before doing anything else, I checked the website and found a page of highly detailed and very helpful instructions about how to install the extension straight in the collet to prevent the run out and vibration that I had experienced. (This is not as easy as it sounds since the tolerances are so tight.) These instructions were not mentioned in the material that was included with the extension.After I followed the instructions, everything worked great, thus the 5 stars. But the manufacturer should definitely include a hard copy of the instruction page in the package to help folks like me who have never used this product avoid the kind of aggravation that I initially experienced.I am now a happy camper and would recommend the product to a friend.