I'm looking at buying some 5c collets to hold end mills for milling on my south bend lathe. What size increments should I get? 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, etc?
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Collet advise
- Thread starter Rangerjoe2
- Start date
1/8"-1/2" by 1/16's and then by 1/8's from 1/2" - 1" if you're going that far.
You'll really be best off getting as many as you can over time if finances don't allow springing for a complete set. They are available in 1/64" increments or 1mm if you go with metric. When sizing a collet, you measure the part to the nearest round-up of 1/64" unless you have an exact match (i.e. use a 1/2" collet on a 1/2" shaft etc). If you try to skip a size, you'll risk damaging the collet or getting it stuck in the chuck (or headstock as the case may be). Also, if you skip a size, the piece will not be properly held on the sides and you won't get the concentricity you're looking for.
FWIW, mine came from Shars and they're all very decent quality -no problems with any of them.
Ray
FWIW, mine came from Shars and they're all very decent quality -no problems with any of them.
Ray
I use mostly 3/8 to 3/4 in 1/8 increments in my mill. There's a lot of sizes with that size shank. You might want a fly cutter too.
Ray,
He asked for sizes to hold end mills not stock. The sizes I listed above are for that. High speed end mills don't come in 1/64's shank sizes.
Thanks guys!