Thread: Collet chuck

Collet chucks are great, I use mine all the time. I have an ER32 set from Vermec that threads onto my lathe spindle, and an ER25 set with a MT that can be used in the tailstock.
Once you have them, you will wonder how you did without them.

Work a treat. I also made my own chisel handles with collet holders for my travelling kit, 3 handles with 42 unhandled chisels. I have an ER32 with a 16mm for the big handle, ER25 with 12mm for my normal sized handle, and an ER11 with 7mm for my mini chisels.

I've been using the Vermec ER25 then ER32 Collet Chuck bodies & collet nuts for over ten years now. Best investment ever for a spindle turner or pen turner.

Requires a little more care turning straight tenons to fit the 1mm range of each collet but the effort is repaid many fold in accuracy and repeatability if you re-chuck spindle items. The safest method to hold small spindle items imo.

Very commendable that you also purchased the drawbar for the MT2 collet body - a must if using the collet chuck in the headstock for wood turning. Certain spindle cuts generate enough lateral force to loosen & work the MT2 body out of the headstock.

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

Very commendable that you also purchased the drawbar for the MT2 collet body - a must if using the collet chuck in the headstock for wood turning. Certain spindle cuts generate enough lateral force to loosen & work the MT2 body out of the headstock.

I have seen many pics of people turning freely with a chuck and I have felt that any vibrations will and could knock the chuck from the taper so would prefer to be locked in place for all concerned.

Well, my A$17 collet chuck arrived (collets were separate cost), and soon found its way into the headstock, what an awesome addition. I managed to quickly knock up a closed end mandrel from a spare piece of tas oak and some dimensions in the head. it isn't completely finished as I have to make the pin recess now and also make the shoulder closest to the tube/blank the correct diameter to match Bushing size. I know exactly what your thinking and that it isn't a good measure as any slip up and you've cut into the shoulder/bushing. I'm working on that. please keep in mind the tube in the pictures hasn't been pushed on completely.

Originally Posted by Fumbler

Well, my A$17 collet chuck arrived (collets were separate cost), and soon found its way into the headstock, what an awesome addition. I managed to quickly knock up a closed end mandrel from a spare piece of tas oak and some dimensions in the head. it isn't completely finished as I have to make the pin recess now and also make the shoulder closest to the tube/blank the correct diameter to match Bushing size. I know exactly what your thinking and that it isn't a good measure as any slip up and you've cut into the shoulder/bushing. I'm working on that. please keep in mind the tube in the pictures hasn't been pushed on completely.

Hey were did they come from, thinking same thing for pen turning

Thanks

eBay. I can dig out the shop details later for you, as some from china not so reputable. I ordered one but it didn't turn up, although they happily gave me a refund, I would've preferred the tool. I've used 2 suppliers and they both delivered everything. I bought a live centre, Kreg shoulder drill bit, 8mm x 200mm long drill bits and a set of 16 forstner bits aswell. All dirt cheap.
the collets however were $55 for a set, 2mm - 20mm. If however you want a bigger diameter, maybe look at an er40 or something along those lines. I'm sure the higher the 'er' number the bigger diameter collet.
haningbsaid that though you can actually buy single collets for a few $ each, so if you only need a 6mm or 10mm or even bigger, they sell them individually. The one In the picture is a 14mm collet.

i use the Vicmarc version which screws onto my headstock, it came with a number of collets, 7 i think, but i purchased a full set from ebay

it has many uses and worth every penny

MIK