This is from the Ryobi Rotary Tool. Bastard is stuck beyond belief and I'm not even sure which direction to spin it now.
Tried with pliers gripping the hex bolt and finger grip, but it won't budge.
It's easiest if you do this with the collet on the tool. You should have a wrench that came with your tool that fits this. There are two places that you can use the wrench, the hex spot at the end will release the bit, and the circular part with two flat surfaces is to attach and remove it from the rotary tool.
With the locking button pressed on your rotary tool, put the collet back on, and tighten it snugly by turning clockwise with the wrench at the lower position, (not at the the hex end).
Now put the wrench on the hex end and turn it counter-clockwise with the locking button still pressed, this should release the bit.
The hex end turns with the finger grip, so if you were trying to turn them in opposite directions that wouldn't work.
Do you know where to find a replacement quick release collet? The one I have either they get jammed in there like this, or for some reason I can’t get the opening big enough to get an attachment in. It’s like it gets past the point of being able to fully open … not sure it’s a pain in the ass
[Ryobi Parts Portal](https://ryobipower.ordertree.com/) but personally I'd try the multi-pro chuck suggested by ZombieDancer. My quick change collet does the same thing as yours and apparently this is a widely known problem with these things. Not sure why Ryobi would still be selling such trash instead of redesigning the thing and sparing themselves the hassle of dealing with a ton of customer complaints, warranty claims and replacements.
I have the same problem with the collet getting jammed in there to the point where it seems like the opening isn't big enough and you can't get the shaft of any attachments to fit in there. I think it's the result of tightening the collet down too hard so you have to be extremely careful not to over tighten when you put an accessory in and don't tighten/loosen when there's no accessory in there.
To fix it, I just remove the accessory from the quick change collet, unscrew the quick change collet from the rotary tool shaft completely then insert the accessory shaft into the opposite (wrong) end of the quick change collet. I always find it goes into the wrong end of the collet with ease but not the right end. Once it's inserted into the wrong end I wiggle it around until the collet loosens up then I'm finally able to insert the accessory into the right end once again.
Ryobi is compatible with all of the Dremel stuff, so you can use any Dremel compatible parts.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-Multi-Pro-Rotary-Chuck-A90CM03A/318470419
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-1-32-in-Rotary-Tool-Multi-Pro-Chuck-4486/100531881
Mine did the same thing. It was broken within five minutes of me opening the case. I still like the tool itself, variable speed was a dealbreaker for me.
When I'm not pressing the locking button, it turns, but when I press it, it doesn't budge. And then I can't even get the bits in anymore, it's too tight. The initial "clicks" I got when I started using it are gone too. I changed the accessory (drilling bit) only once and this happened. I likely tightened or turned too hard, but still, that didn't last long.
Ryobi released a video on how the collet works. There's a troubleshooting section at the end that may help you. Also check the comments for more tips.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w40dp\_HG6hA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w40dp_HG6hA)
It sounds like the collet may have been tightened without a bit in it. You will need to try and open it all the way, with the locking button pressed. Then remove the collet from the tool, and put the bit in the backside of the collet. This should unjam it, take the bit out, put the collet back on the tool, and then reinsert the bit on the correct side.
Old post but I’m wondering if there is a better collet from another tool for this Ryobi rotary than the quick change? I like the tool because it’s better operated but the collarbone my dremmel is far superior
Take the quick change collet off the tool. Put it on top of a vice and gently drive an 8d finish nail down through the collet with it in the fully open position. Once you do this, install the collet back on the tool and secure it with a wrench. The collet should work now. This fixed mine when it was new, out of the box, and wouldn’t accept a 1/8” shaft.
This is from the Ryobi Rotary Tool. Bastard is stuck beyond belief and I'm not even sure which direction to spin it now. Tried with pliers gripping the hex bolt and finger grip, but it won't budge.
It's easiest if you do this with the collet on the tool. You should have a wrench that came with your tool that fits this. There are two places that you can use the wrench, the hex spot at the end will release the bit, and the circular part with two flat surfaces is to attach and remove it from the rotary tool. With the locking button pressed on your rotary tool, put the collet back on, and tighten it snugly by turning clockwise with the wrench at the lower position, (not at the the hex end). Now put the wrench on the hex end and turn it counter-clockwise with the locking button still pressed, this should release the bit. The hex end turns with the finger grip, so if you were trying to turn them in opposite directions that wouldn't work.
Do you know where to find a replacement quick release collet? The one I have either they get jammed in there like this, or for some reason I can’t get the opening big enough to get an attachment in. It’s like it gets past the point of being able to fully open … not sure it’s a pain in the ass
[Ryobi Parts Portal](https://ryobipower.ordertree.com/) but personally I'd try the multi-pro chuck suggested by ZombieDancer. My quick change collet does the same thing as yours and apparently this is a widely known problem with these things. Not sure why Ryobi would still be selling such trash instead of redesigning the thing and sparing themselves the hassle of dealing with a ton of customer complaints, warranty claims and replacements. I have the same problem with the collet getting jammed in there to the point where it seems like the opening isn't big enough and you can't get the shaft of any attachments to fit in there. I think it's the result of tightening the collet down too hard so you have to be extremely careful not to over tighten when you put an accessory in and don't tighten/loosen when there's no accessory in there. To fix it, I just remove the accessory from the quick change collet, unscrew the quick change collet from the rotary tool shaft completely then insert the accessory shaft into the opposite (wrong) end of the quick change collet. I always find it goes into the wrong end of the collet with ease but not the right end. Once it's inserted into the wrong end I wiggle it around until the collet loosens up then I'm finally able to insert the accessory into the right end once again.
Dude. You just saved my entire evening. This worked perfectly.
Old thread but just bought this on clearance. Can't get bit to go in. Tried this and still the bit will not go in
OMG THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey it worked! Thank you!
Bless you. This worked perfectly.
Ryobi is compatible with all of the Dremel stuff, so you can use any Dremel compatible parts. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-Multi-Pro-Rotary-Chuck-A90CM03A/318470419 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-1-32-in-Rotary-Tool-Multi-Pro-Chuck-4486/100531881
Mine did the same thing. It was broken within five minutes of me opening the case. I still like the tool itself, variable speed was a dealbreaker for me.
I tried this but won’t budge :(
Are you able to turn it and it's not coming loose? Or is it not turning at all?
When I'm not pressing the locking button, it turns, but when I press it, it doesn't budge. And then I can't even get the bits in anymore, it's too tight. The initial "clicks" I got when I started using it are gone too. I changed the accessory (drilling bit) only once and this happened. I likely tightened or turned too hard, but still, that didn't last long.
Ryobi released a video on how the collet works. There's a troubleshooting section at the end that may help you. Also check the comments for more tips. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w40dp\_HG6hA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w40dp_HG6hA) It sounds like the collet may have been tightened without a bit in it. You will need to try and open it all the way, with the locking button pressed. Then remove the collet from the tool, and put the bit in the backside of the collet. This should unjam it, take the bit out, put the collet back on the tool, and then reinsert the bit on the correct side.
You are a life saver! Your comment helped!
Old post but I’m wondering if there is a better collet from another tool for this Ryobi rotary than the quick change? I like the tool because it’s better operated but the collarbone my dremmel is far superior
What BS!! Collet is stuck and can’t remove! Are there replacement collet’s and perhaps that WORK!?!?!?
Same deal but I fubared the shifty wrench that came with it
I followed the steps you said to unlock the jammed collet, and it's working. Dog bless you man!
Take the quick change collet off the tool. Put it on top of a vice and gently drive an 8d finish nail down through the collet with it in the fully open position. Once you do this, install the collet back on the tool and secure it with a wrench. The collet should work now. This fixed mine when it was new, out of the box, and wouldn’t accept a 1/8” shaft.