- Joined
- May 31, 2018
- Messages
- 184
Hi all,
I've been doing a few repetitive tasks on the lathe recently and using the 3 jaw is getting tiresome. I have decided that I would like to get a collet chuck of some description but I'm having a hard time of it.
I have settled on the idea of a 5C collet chuck for a few reasons.
I like that you can buy emergency collets for specific work.
I like that you can buy step collets for larger diameters.
I like that you can get expanding mandrels.
I like that you can fit a stop to it for repetitive work.
I don't like that that clamping range is limited but I can live with this.
I don't like that I could only get 1" bar through the back although for the sort of work I'd be using it for it isn't a huge problem.
I don't like however that there are often only two chuck key locations as sods law states that the lathe shall never come to rest with one of these in a convenient location, even on the three jaw.
So, I have been looking into speed chucks but apart from seeing a few turn up on eBay I've not really come across anything.
I am looking for a chuck (preferably 5C but I would settle for another system that does the same as long as collets are reasonably priced and readily available) that I can change out a work piece as quickly as possible. Lever operated would be a plus but ideally I'd like one with the lever behind the chuck rather than hanging out the back as this would be a bit too far to reach comfortably. The other ones I have seen are "Bjogren speed chucks" but I just can't seem to find any over this side of the pond.
Thanks in advance,
Sam
I've been doing a few repetitive tasks on the lathe recently and using the 3 jaw is getting tiresome. I have decided that I would like to get a collet chuck of some description but I'm having a hard time of it.
I have settled on the idea of a 5C collet chuck for a few reasons.
I like that you can buy emergency collets for specific work.
I like that you can buy step collets for larger diameters.
I like that you can get expanding mandrels.
I like that you can fit a stop to it for repetitive work.
I don't like that that clamping range is limited but I can live with this.
I don't like that I could only get 1" bar through the back although for the sort of work I'd be using it for it isn't a huge problem.
I don't like however that there are often only two chuck key locations as sods law states that the lathe shall never come to rest with one of these in a convenient location, even on the three jaw.
So, I have been looking into speed chucks but apart from seeing a few turn up on eBay I've not really come across anything.
I am looking for a chuck (preferably 5C but I would settle for another system that does the same as long as collets are reasonably priced and readily available) that I can change out a work piece as quickly as possible. Lever operated would be a plus but ideally I'd like one with the lever behind the chuck rather than hanging out the back as this would be a bit too far to reach comfortably. The other ones I have seen are "Bjogren speed chucks" but I just can't seem to find any over this side of the pond.
Thanks in advance,
Sam