Sourcing a collet chuck

[ibecs]

I want to get a collet chuck for some of the pen turning I'm looking to do and I want one that screws on rather than using a morse taper.

Does anyone know of an Australian supplier that still sells them?

There are several available in the U.S. but shipping times and shipping cost are both pretty high.


Thanks Ian

[Mobyturns]

Vermec make an ER25 & ER32 Collet chuck that uses a body that is threaded to fit the lathe spindle and accepts standard ER25 or ER32 collet nuts and collets. They are no longer a standard line. However, last time I checked, Vermec will accept orders for the body only so you will have to source the nut and collets elsewhere.

There are many MT1/2 collet spindles available, but if you go that way purchase one that will accept a draw bar. Search - "ER32 milling collet chuck with MT2 arbor."

The Vermec unit,

[ibecs]

Vermec make an ER25 & ER32 Collet chuck that uses a body that is threaded to fit the lathe spindle and accepts standard ER25 or ER32 collet nuts and collets. They are no longer a standard line. However, last time I checked, Vermec will accept orders for the body only so you will have to source the nut and collets elsewhere.

There are many MT1/2 collet spindles available, but if you go that way purchase one that will accept a draw bar. Search - "ER32 milling collet chuck with MT2 arbor."

The Vermec unit,

Thanks - I'll talk to Vermec. I had checked their site but they had nothing available. I tried a search using your term and straight away came up with the chuck predrilled for the draw bar so that helps a lot. None of the opnes I'd found previously were ready for a drawbar.

[turnerted]

I have the Vermec set which I bought from Timberbits a few years ago but not sure if they still have them .
Ted

[Jim Carroll]

Vermec and Vicmarc no longer stock the collet chucks, pity as they were a very good option for a lot of different jobs.

[Mobyturns]

Vermec and Vicmarc no longer stock the collet chucks, pity as they were a very good option for a lot of different jobs.

I've had a number of discussions with Enzo, Yvonne and their daughter at Maleny and at the NZ wood turning symposiums about their excellent gear as imho it is second to none.

The Vermec ER collet sets (spindle body, nut and collets) are I believe the best and safest available to wood turners from any source. The hollow through design of the Vermec spindle body permits a range turning options which are not possible with MT1 or MT2 bodies or the Beal. The Vermec is a better design than the Beal or Apprentice offerings which both require "C" spanners or "tommy bars" to operate whereas the Vermec supplied with a "UM Style" collet nut can be hand tightened for almost all of my spindle and pen turning operations.

Sadly, or fortuitously, depending upon your views a "Precision ER32 MILLING MACHINE Collet Set MT2 Shank Chuck & Spanner 3-20mm+ Box" can be purchased via internet sellers for around $100 + shipping where as Vermec's body was ~ $130 then one had to source the nut and collets.

There are also "face plate" style collet bodies available which could be paired with a small standard faceplate, say a Vermec 75mm face plate, by a competent machinist to performance accuracies more than suitable for high end pen turning.

The harsh reality of a global market puts a lot of pressure on family owned Australian small businesses who even though they produce great gear can not compete against low wage high volume competitors..

[ibecs]

I have the Vermec set which I bought from Timberbits a few years ago but not sure if they still have them .
Ted

I tried Timberbits a while ago and they don't stock them anymore.

[Mobyturns]

I tried Timberbits a while ago and they don't stock them anymore.

Vermec will only supply them on special order, body only afaik.