06-10-2017, 03:07 PM
(06-10-2017, 09:19 AM)Dieezitin Wrote: HelloAnthony.
I would not go for a 5C chuck system its clamping range is very limited, The ER system is far superior and ER40 would be a decent size on your new lathe or the ER32 would work nicely too. ER collets depress in either direction by about .018 (IRRC) and the 5C is about .005 at a stretch. Moral of the story " more holding range in odd size stock"
your going to find in this hobby tooling is going to consume all your hobby bucks in the end your tooling could quiet easily be worth more than your machines you originally purchased to make the things you want to make. Collets are in my opinion one area where you have to invest time and money, you need a plan on what system you want to purchase make a shop standard then purchase quality products.
Our hobby revolves around one central never ending problem " Work holding"... and collets play a big role in quick accurate solutions to this ...
My advice is do your research on collet systems, if you have a mill make sure the system works on both. The ER system is the most expensive for the collets themselves but there benefits outweigh the high original investment.
One more note on ER collets home made chucks are very easy to make yourself all you really need to buy is the clamping nut as they are so cheap on ebay its not worth trying to make it is a pretty complicated part to make.
Anthony.
Thanks for the info. I did look at the ER style of collet last fall. But since then I already purchased a complete set of 5C collets. It's a 57 piece set from 1/8"-1" in 64th increment. I also have a set of 5C collet blocks and a 5c collet stop. I definatly don't want to change now!! Lol.
My mill uses R8 collets. Unfortunately both of my machines are not going to use the same collets. But luckily my mill came with a complete set of R8 collets.
I was just thinking a Collet Chuck would also be a useful addition to the collection.
Trevor