- Joined
- Feb 13, 2017
- Messages
- 2,138
I'm not sure where is the best place to post this, so I'll just throw it out and let the "sysop" put it wherever he wants. To "set the stage", I have a Sears/Atlas 12X36 lathe. 101.27440. . . I have several chucks, 2, 3, and 4 jaw, for various projects. I am an electronicist and a model builder, not a machinist, but with many years of experience on machine tools doing maintenance work. My lathes (both) have a 1-1/2X8 TPI spindle nose. A collet chuck was bought to fit either machine. I have a smaller collet chuck with a MT3 mandrel and 10mm drawbar for ER-25 collets. My problem is that I cannot chuck up long work therein. I work mostly with small (1/4 and smaller) stock. 1/8 brazing rod for brass/bronze rod and the like.
My question: I purchased (from eBay) a collet chuck that was sold as an ER-32. Including a "broad" selection of collets. By the time I got around to setting it up, the sale was not returnable. On setup, it was discovered that the "broad selection" was actually a large number of multiple 3/8 and 1/2 collets. I ordered an ER-32 collet to make sure of the size. It was a fuzz (a hair less than a whisker) too small. The cap on the nose, when fully tightened, will allow the collet to rotate in the chuck but not "rattle". So I ordered an ER-40 out of curiosity. It was too large. It will start in and has the proper taper(I think) but doesn't seat fully enough to get the cap started.
The collet chuck supposedly came off a Craftsman lathe but is not identifiable as a Sears part. It has been my experience that Sears tends to make "things" just a fuzz off size to prevent using common sized "things" as replacements. You must use Sears parts, to their sales advantage, which by this time are no longer available. 65-70 odd years is much too long for a retail establishment to carry parts that have a "safety problem". They no longer carry metal working machines. And few wood working. . . "Kenmore" kitchen stuff is notorious for making a sink just enough smaller to fall through an existing counter cutout. Requiring, for the novice kitchen rebuilder, a complete counter redo, using Sears parts of course. Which won't fit standard cabinets. . . Pause in rant.
So, my options are several:
First: Is there a collet system that predates the common use of ER-xx? And, if so, what is the designation for them? Sized slightly larger than ER-32 but with the same tapers. If this is an archaic system, I can watch for the collets I need. This was a general upgrade with a good price, not job related. As a side note, I have a PorterCable router that is "ancient" but has ER collets on the business end.
Second: Shave the nose 1/8-3/16 to make an ER-32 fit. Looking at it on my desk, this looks to be doable. I haven't actually sat down and measured things to be sure, but it looks like it will work. The salient point is whether the existing collets will fit after this mod. I hate to scrap out precision stuff.
Third: To cut down the inside to the larger ER-40 size. IF I can properly do the work, I may or may not have the skills. The front is hardened. Further, in the future, should I stumble across more collets specific to this chuck, they and the ones I already have would not be usable. I do not fear messing up an increase in size. If it doesn't work out, all parts can be scrapped with little monetary loss. But to scrap out a tool goes against my core beliefs, it can be done, but hurts. . . BAD.
Quite honestly, my preference would be Nr 1 as first choice. But the second would be more likely as a practical solution. Especially as I can acquire metric and odd shaped as well as fractional collets. Internet, what say you? Any and all comments, positive or negative, will be considered. Basically, I have a new tool and would like to use it. But not at great expense.
.
My question: I purchased (from eBay) a collet chuck that was sold as an ER-32. Including a "broad" selection of collets. By the time I got around to setting it up, the sale was not returnable. On setup, it was discovered that the "broad selection" was actually a large number of multiple 3/8 and 1/2 collets. I ordered an ER-32 collet to make sure of the size. It was a fuzz (a hair less than a whisker) too small. The cap on the nose, when fully tightened, will allow the collet to rotate in the chuck but not "rattle". So I ordered an ER-40 out of curiosity. It was too large. It will start in and has the proper taper(I think) but doesn't seat fully enough to get the cap started.
The collet chuck supposedly came off a Craftsman lathe but is not identifiable as a Sears part. It has been my experience that Sears tends to make "things" just a fuzz off size to prevent using common sized "things" as replacements. You must use Sears parts, to their sales advantage, which by this time are no longer available. 65-70 odd years is much too long for a retail establishment to carry parts that have a "safety problem". They no longer carry metal working machines. And few wood working. . . "Kenmore" kitchen stuff is notorious for making a sink just enough smaller to fall through an existing counter cutout. Requiring, for the novice kitchen rebuilder, a complete counter redo, using Sears parts of course. Which won't fit standard cabinets. . . Pause in rant.
So, my options are several:
First: Is there a collet system that predates the common use of ER-xx? And, if so, what is the designation for them? Sized slightly larger than ER-32 but with the same tapers. If this is an archaic system, I can watch for the collets I need. This was a general upgrade with a good price, not job related. As a side note, I have a PorterCable router that is "ancient" but has ER collets on the business end.
Second: Shave the nose 1/8-3/16 to make an ER-32 fit. Looking at it on my desk, this looks to be doable. I haven't actually sat down and measured things to be sure, but it looks like it will work. The salient point is whether the existing collets will fit after this mod. I hate to scrap out precision stuff.
Third: To cut down the inside to the larger ER-40 size. IF I can properly do the work, I may or may not have the skills. The front is hardened. Further, in the future, should I stumble across more collets specific to this chuck, they and the ones I already have would not be usable. I do not fear messing up an increase in size. If it doesn't work out, all parts can be scrapped with little monetary loss. But to scrap out a tool goes against my core beliefs, it can be done, but hurts. . . BAD.
Quite honestly, my preference would be Nr 1 as first choice. But the second would be more likely as a practical solution. Especially as I can acquire metric and odd shaped as well as fractional collets. Internet, what say you? Any and all comments, positive or negative, will be considered. Basically, I have a new tool and would like to use it. But not at great expense.
Bi11 Hudson
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