5c collet block closer

[boostin53]

I made a purchase that included a square and hex collet block set, which came with the rings and the lever collet closer. The closer rings are self explanatory to me. What does the cam do on the lever? Should be simple, and I can't find instructions because I suck.

 

[Bob Korves]

The cam pulls on the collet, tightening the collet on the work. It is a quick over center movement. It is very useful for repetitive tasks, but only on light work because it does not pull the collet at tight as the rings do. It needs to be adjusted to get the cam over action you are looking for, tighter or looser, by how far you screw it on the collet.

 

[boostin53]

That makes great sense. Thanks Bob!

 

[dlane]

The lever closer that came with my set was useless, never tightened up enough “went out with the trash that day”
I use a ring with a spanner wrench now, seems to work much better. The cam closer was junk.

 

[boostin53]

I haven't attempted to use the blocks yet, but everything I see about the lever is that it's almost useless.

 

[Bob Korves]

Get a collet and a piece of rod to fit it, and play around with the lever closer while the block is clamped in a vise. Then you will have a good idea how it works.

 

[Bob Korves]

It probably would not work at all if the work does not fit the collet fairly snug before clamping it. That short lever does not have a lot of mechanical advantage or travel. Definitely not for hogging on steel mounted in a mill. For light cuts with a surface grinder it might be fine.

 

[boostin53]

Get a collet and a piece of rod to fit it, and play around with the lever closer while the block is clamped in a vise. Then you will have a good idea how it works.

I've got several 5c collets, I'll play around with it later tonight when I get home. I have a feeling I'm going to use the rings more than the lever.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Hi boostin53,
congrats on the collet blocks!
contrary to the experiences of others, i had great success using my inexpensive block closer lever.
in fact i had them for a year before i had a project that forced me to make pin spanner wrenches, to use the tightening ring.
maybe i have a good lever closer on my cheap blocks, but i doubt it.
i'd usually tighten the lever end to take up the clearance and give the lever a throw, it always seemed to hold just fine for me.
but then again i usually take .015- ,020" cuts anyway

 

[umahunter]

They make wrenches to close the rings but I didn't wanna pay 40 bucks for one so I made one with a piece of flat bar I cut the radius close with a hole saw then finished it up with a flap disc on the grinder and welded a pin on the end works like a champ