SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/wood-router-collet

What router bit shank should you use in a given collet?

One whose shank matches the installed collet.

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  1. Any shank, it will tighten
  2. The thickest shank that fits
  3. A shank that matches the collet ✔

Why: A bit whose shank does not match the collet size may not be held securely and could loosen while the router runs. DeWalt's manual says to only use bits with shanks that match the installed collet.

Huh, didn't know that: DeWalt labels a mismatched bit shank a projectile hazard.

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How many oranges grow on a tree? All of them.
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References

Answer: A shank that matches the collet. A bit whose shank does not match the collet size may not be held securely and could loosen while the router runs. DeWalt's manual says to only use bits with shanks that match the installed collet.

  1. DeWalt DW616 Router Instruction Manual assets.dewalt.com/GLOBALBOM/QU/DW616PK/1/Instruction_Manual/EN/N384518_DW616.pdf
    Only use bits with shanks that match the installed collet.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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Test yourself in the game

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