What is typically the first step in removing a collet from a vertical milling machine?

Loosening the drawbar is the appropriate first step in removing a collet from a vertical milling machine. The drawbar is responsible for holding the collet in place, and it must be released to allow the collet to come free. When the drawbar is loosened, it is possible to remove the tool held within the collet without damaging either the tool or the machine.

Other steps listed, such as hitting the collet with a hammer, would be inappropriate and could lead to damage to the machine or the collet itself. Turning the machine off is certainly a necessary safety measure before making any adjustments, but it does not address the mechanism that secures the collet. Setting the feed rate to zero is important for operational safety during machining, but it also does not relate directly to the process of collet removal. Therefore, loosening the drawbar is the fundamental step that enables the safe and effective removal of a collet.