How to Remove a Stuck Bit or Arbor From Your Machine

Bits and arbors can become stuck onto the motor shaft for a variety of reasons. Generally, they can be easily removed with a little bit of work. It is important to remember that the item is now attached to the most expensive and delicate part of your machine - the motor. It is not uncommon that someone removing a stuck bit or arbor will succeed in getting it off only to cause severe and irreversible damage to the motor. For this reason, it is important to follow these suggestions in the order they are listed; from the least invasive to the most potentially invasive purposes. Followed carefully, these suggestions will prove useful for any machine whether from Inland Craft or other manufacturers.

Bit or Arbor Removal

1. Completely loosen the set screw and then see if you can push the bit or arbor further down onto the shaft. If you can, do so as far as possible. It is generally the case that the shaft above where the bit or arbor was mounted has become crusted up with ground material debris, coolant, hard water residue, etc. This residue might not even be obvious to the casual observer.

Inspect the motor shaft above the bit or arbor. If it looks smooth but appears to have some dirt or grime on it, it can be cleaned up rather quickly. Using a small piece of ScotchBrite (that green scouring pad) or a piece of very fine (0000) steel wool, polish the end of the shaft all the way down to where the bit or arbor sits now. This is easily done by just turning the machine on and holding the pad or steel wool to the motor shaft as it turns for a few seconds. If the bit was stuck because of residue, it should slide off pretty easily now. See the end of this page for Prevention and Maintenance Tips to avoid this problem in the future.

2. If you can push the bit or arbor down as above, but you notice that there is a burr or scar on the round side of the motor shaft caused by the set screw (it appears as a small ring cut into the shaft), you will need to polish it out. This can often be done by using the same steel wool mentioned above. Be very careful here! You only want to remove the scar, you do not want to make the shaft smaller. Occasionally you will need to use a more abrasive product such as very fine grit emery cloth or sandpaper if the scar is deep. But, again, be very careful. You can quickly damage the motor shaft if you are not paying attention. Once the scar is polished out, remove the bit. Clean both the bit and shaft and use some kind of lubricant as mentioned in the Prevention and Maintenance Tips.

These burrs are created because the bit or arbor was not properly installed. NEVER tighten the bit or arbor to the round side of the motor shaft. There is a flat side on the shaft that is added at great expense to allow for the set screw. You must use it all the time to avoid damage. See the end of this page for Prevention and Maintenance Tips to avoid this problem in the future.

3. If the bit or arbor is stuck such that it will not move in either direction, you will need to use a device that we call a gear puller (some call them faucet pullers or plumbers helpers). They are used to get gears or faucet handles off the post they are pressed on to. If you happen to own one yourself, or know a mechanic or plumber that can help you, be gentle and patient with this device and the bit or arbor will almost certainly come off. If you don't have access to a gear puller, you can usually walk into a plumbing supply store (with a smile) and they'll do it for you while you wait. Otherwise, please call the Inland Customer Service Department at 1-800-521-8428 to obtain a Return Material Authorization Number and further instructions to send your machine in for repair. See the end of this page for Prevention and Maintenance Tips to avoid this problem in the future.

Stripped or Stuck Set Screw

Generally a "stuck" or "stripped" set screw happens because the allen wrench used to tighten and loosen the screw was not inserted properly and has rounded the edges of this socket cup type screw so it no longer seats properly. It is very important that you align the allen wrench with the screw and insert it fully making sure it is snug before you start turning it. To remedy the situation you can try the following:

1. If the bit is not on the machine, you can certainly turn the screw in further to the point where it falls out through the shaft hole in the bit. Replacement set screws are available from your supplier or if you have an old worn bit, remove the screw and use it
2. You can try using a small flat head screwdriver (like that used for eyeglasses) on a stripped set screw. It may be able to grab two "edges", allowing you to remove it.
3. Some people have had success by putting a very tiny amount of cyanoacrylate glue (super glue) on the very end of an allen wrench and then insert into socket cup of the stripped screw. You need to exercise great care to not glue the wrench or the screw  or to the bit. The goal is to glue the wrench to the set screw only! Let the glue set-up for a few seconds and you should then be able to remove the screw.
4. You can drill it out using an appropriate size bit made to drill stainless steel. Again, extreme care needs to be taken not to damage the motor shaft!
5. If the set screw is "frozen" in the bit due to corrosion you can try applying iodine (it can be found in the first aid aisle of the drug store) or a penetrating oil or spray like WD-40 to loosen it. To avoid this problem in the future, make sure to store bits dry and to remove bits from your machine if not being used for an extended period of time.
6. You can contact Inland Customer Service about sending it to us for a repair.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

Once you have removed the bit, clean the bit on the inside (where it slides over the motor shaft) as it will probably have some dried residue there. In the future, apply a non-water-soluble grease to the motor shaft to keep this residue out. Inland manufactures a product called Motor Shaft Lubricant for a few dollars, available from your regular stained glass supplier. It is specially formulated with Teflon for these wet applications. In a pinch, petroleum jelly (like Vaseline or K-Y) will prove nearly equal to the task. All bits and arbors should always be removed from the machine when they are not to be used for any length of time, i.e. a week or more. This will keep the bit from "cementing" to the shaft. It will also provide you with the opportunity (and habit) of inspecting the motor shaft and bits for proper hygiene.