[HELP] Collets: to rack or not to rack

[rleete]

I have a set of 5C collets.  They came in a box in those 2 piece square plastic tubes in which they ship things like this.  Inside, each collet is in a plastic bag with the usual red goo rust preventative.  I've only used/opened a few of the 18 piece set so far.

So, should I store them in the tubes or make a rack?  I don't use them often enough that I need them to hand, but those racks sure look nice.  Do I run the risk of the dreaded r-word (rust!) if they're out in the open?  Is there any point in making a rack if I don't use the collets frequently?

[EdK]

Maybe compromise and make a rack just big enough to hold the ones you use most often and store the rest in their original tubes.

Ed

[Hawkeye]

If you pick up a 1 5/16" Forstner bit, it will make it easy to make a rack out of a piece of 2x10 or 2x12. 1 1/4" bits will work the first day, but the wood will shrink and clamp tightly on the collets. Bin dere, dun dat.

[zmotorsports]

I am in the same boat with my 5C collets. I don't use them very often so I keep mine in the protective plastic tubes in order of smallest to largest and they are readily accessible when needed. If I used them more I would have them in a rack like the R8 mill collets.

Mike.

[Highpower]

(11-16-2015, 05:19 PM)rleete Wrote: Is there any point in making a rack if I don't use the collets frequently?

How ironic. I keep my 5C collets in the original containers in my "machining" toolbox because they don't get used all that often. I bought several new R-8 collets some time ago in odd sizes (32nds) that I have needed once in a blue moon. Problem is I'm all out of room in the toolbox (again) so the R-8's got stuck in a rack anyway.

[Dr Stan]

A wooden collet rack is good, but I prefer HDPE.  Still soft enough not to damage the collets and lasts much longer than wood.

[arvidj]

(11-17-2015, 10:41 AM)Dr Stan Wrote: A wooden collet rack is good, but I prefer HDPE.  Still soft enough not to damage the collets and lasts much longer than wood.

Where do you get your HDPE? When I was looking for reasonably thick pieces I was unpleasantly suprised by the price.

[Vinny]

How about a large cutting board? They're HDPE and cheap. eg. Target has a set of 3 (8x11, 99x13 and 11x16) for $8.99. You could make alot of collet rack outta that. Prolly even get 'em cheaper at Walmart since Target isn't exactly the cheapest place around.