How to change router bits?

[Healthie]

I have this old sears craftsman router and it didn’t come with a flat wrench to grab the smaller bolt: is there a way of changing this bit without it? I have many adjustable wrenches; but they are wider. I keep buying tools that don’t come with the wrenches that allow changing parts and it drives me nuts.

[Uturn]

It looks like that part your finger is on is a brake.  Push it into the lower nut, put a wrench on the collet.

[Wrenchturner]

It looks like that part your finger is on is a brake.  Push it into the lower nut, put a wrench on the collet.

This, or sometimes the router shaft has a flat spot that engages with the brake, so you have to spin the shaft to find it.  You should still buy a set of thin wrenches, they're cheap and useful!

[lthenderson]

My smallest routers all have a button that I press that engages a flat spot on the shaft internal to the router to allow you to put a regular wrench on the collet nut. However I agree with others, that it looks like the lever that your fingers are on is supposed to engage with the nut.

When I get older tools, one of the first things I usually do is find the model number and download the manual for it online. Not only will it give you a part number for any missing wrenches or accessories so they can be ordered, but it will clarify how to do things like changing bits. Although I don't think this applies to your case, I have made my own thin wrenches out of scrap pieces of metal and a hacksaw.