Router Collet & Dust Extraction Compatibility Guide (2026)

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Router Collet & Dust Extraction Compatibility Guide

If you’ve ever bought a router bit online only to find it won’t fit your machine, you’re not alone. Router collet sizes vary between brands and models — and the difference between 1/4″, 1/2″, and 8mm collets catches people out constantly. Same story with dust extraction: you buy a hose, get it home, and the fitting doesn’t match your extractor or your router’s port.

This guide covers everything you need to know about router collet compatibility and dust extraction hose fitting sizes across all the major brands sold in the UK. We’ve built brand-by-model tables so you can check exactly what collet your router takes and what dust port size it uses — before you waste money on the wrong kit.

The Most Common Mistake: Wrong Collet Size

Here’s the scenario that plays out in workshops across the country every week: you order a lovely 1/2″ shank straight cutter because it’s beefier and more stable for the job. It arrives, you go to fit it, and it won’t slide into your router’s collet. Turns out your compact plunge router only takes 1/4″ shank bits.

The three collet sizes you’ll encounter in the UK are 1/4″ (6.35mm), 1/2″ (12.7mm), and 8mm. They are not interchangeable — a 1/4″ bit will rattle dangerously in a 1/2″ collet, and a 1/2″ bit physically won’t fit a 1/4″ collet. The 8mm size is the sneaky one: it’s close enough to 1/4″ that people assume they’re the same, but 8mm is 1.65mm larger and will not grip properly in a 1/4″ collet.

Our complete collet sizes guide breaks down every size, which routers use which, and what your options are if you’ve got the wrong bits for your machine.

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Router Collet Sizes Explained

1/4″ vs 1/2″ vs 8mm — what’s the difference, which routers use which, and can you convert between them? The complete breakdown for UK woodworkers.

Read the full guide →

Router Collets by Brand

Model-by-model collet size tables for Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, Festool, Trend, Milwaukee, and more. Find your router, check what fits.

View brand tables →

Dust Extraction Hose Compatibility

Router dust port sizes, extractor hose diameters, and which adaptors bridge the gap. Stop buying hoses that don’t fit.

Hose compatibility guide →

Collet Adaptors & Reducers

Want to run 1/4″ bits in a 1/2″ router? Need an 8mm-to-1/4″ solution? Our buyer’s guide covers the best collet reducers and adaptors available in the UK.

Best adaptors guide →

Are Router Collets Universal?

Short answer: no. But there’s more to it than that. We explain which parts are standardised, which aren’t, and what to watch out for when buying replacement collets.

Find out →

Can I Use 1/2″ Bits in a 1/4″ Router?

The most common router collet question — and the answer matters for your safety. We explain why, and what your alternatives are.

Read the FAQ →

Quick Reference: Router Collet Sizes at a Glance

Here’s a fast overview of the three main collet sizes, what type of router typically uses each, and how available bits are in the UK market.

Collet Size	Actual Diameter	Typical Router Type	Bit Availability (UK)
1/4″	6.35mm	Palm routers, trim routers, compact plunge routers	Excellent — widest range of affordable bits
1/2″	12.7mm	Full-size plunge routers, router tables	Excellent — larger profiles, heavier cuts
8mm	8.00mm	Festool, some Elu, older European routers	Limited — fewer options, often pricier
3/8″	9.53mm	Rare — some older American imports	Very limited in the UK

Quick Reference: Common Dust Port Sizes

Dust extraction compatibility depends on matching your router’s dust port diameter to your extractor’s hose. Here are the most common configurations by brand.

Brand	Typical Dust Port Size	Extraction System	Notes
Festool	27mm / 36mm	Proprietary click-fit system	Connects directly to Festool CT extractors
Makita	28mm (varies)	Standard push-fit	Often needs 28mm to 32/36mm adaptor
DeWalt	35mm	AirLock on newer models	AirLock adaptor DWV9000 fits most DeWalt extractors
Bosch	35mm	Click & Clean (some models)	Standard 35mm fits most Bosch extractors
Trend	32-36mm (varies)	Standard push-fit	Check specific model — T-series differs from older range
Milwaukee	Varies	Model-specific	Some have integrated extraction, others need adaptors

Understanding Collet Types

Not all collets are built the same, even at the same size. There are two main designs you’ll come across: self-releasing collets (where the collet pops out of the nut when you unscrew it — standard on Trend, most DeWalt, and many Bosch routers) and non-self-releasing collets (where you need to push the bit back up to remove it — common on older machines and some budget routers).

Self-releasing collets are generally preferred because they make bit changes faster and reduce the risk of the bit getting stuck. If your router uses a non-self-releasing collet and you’re finding bit changes a pain, it’s worth checking whether an aftermarket self-releasing collet is available for your model. Trend makes excellent replacement collets for many popular routers.