ER-32 Collet Chuck Wanted for MicroMark 7X16 Mini Lathe

[devils4ever]

If I drill a 3/8" hole, do I need to drill 3 to keep it balanced? Or, will 1 hole not throw it out of whack?

 

[Aaron_W]

My Beall chuck just has 2, one on each side. Well 4 actually 2 on the body 2 on the nose piece.

Another option on your chuck, you could use a strap wrench. The rubber strap type are cheap, work well and won't mark the chuck surface.

 

[royesses]

Drilling one hole may or may not cause it to be out of balance. Look at the spindle flange bolt hole pattern, there will be a spot that has more holes. Mount the chuck with the hole opposite this area and try it. If it is not vibrating you can leave just on hole. If it vibrates a lot then drill a hole 180° from the original.

Roy

 

[mikey]

What Roy said.

 

[higgite]

If I drill a 3/8" hole, do I need to drill 3 to keep it balanced? Or, will 1 hole not throw it out of whack?

To keep things balanced, I would just drill 3 holes equidistant between the 3 mounting holes. Easy enough to measure and mark. If you’re going to drill one or two, you may as well drill three and not worry about balancing the spindle flange. If the chuck doesn’t throw the spindle out of balance with no holes, it won’t with three equally spaced holes either. Three holes around the chuck are a lot less aggravating than having to spin the chuck around to find the hole every time, too.

I’m in the camp that just uses a straight tommy bar stuck in one of the holes. The one I use is about 6” long which gives me plenty of leverage to tighten the nut with both hands. To loosen it, I hold the tommy bar against the front edge of the lathe bed and pull on the wrench. Saves from from banging knuckles in close quarters. Did I mention that I'm clumsy?

Tom

 

[devils4ever]

I drilled one hole so far. I drilled it 1/64" less than 3/8" since most round stock is not exactly sized. I turned down the end of a 3/8" round to fit the hole more precisely.

I don't see/feel any vibrations, but maybe I'll drill 3 holes to be sure.

 

[devils4ever]

Well, I guess I got lucky on the first hole. The second two are giving me real problems. I was able to drill a 1/4" pilot hole using a spotting drill. But, when I tried to enlarge them using some HSS drills, they wouldn't go in. I get lots of smoke.

Could it have hardened? Why was my first hole no issue?

What next? Get some carbide drill bits?

 

[royesses]

Smoke =heat, possibly work hardened. Are the drills good quality? I used cobalt drills on mine but I don't think that is what makes yours not work. A carbide drill will do the job but may be expensive. I had no indication at all of work hardening on my chuck. Drilled center holes with lathe center drill, pilot drill and then full size without any problems.

Roy

 

[devils4ever]

The smoke might have been the cutting fluid. I'm not sure. The drills are good quality, HSS, and USA made that I've had for decades, but looking at some of them they need to be sharpened or replaced. However, I used the same ones on the first hole without issue.

Maybe, a carbide end mill will do the job?

 

[Grinderman]

My Beall chuck just has 2, one on each side. Well 4 actually 2 on the body 2 on the nose piece.

Another option on your chuck, you could use a strap wrench. The rubber strap type are cheap, work well and won't mark the chuck surface.

Have you been satisfied with the Beall chuck? I just ordered one along with some Techniks collets.