ER32/ER40 or 5C? Whats your choice and why?

[coolidge]

I have both ER32 (mill) and 5C (lathe) with chucks for both.

 

[SouthernChap]

I also have 5C collet a Tool & Cutter grinder

Good point. 5c does seem to be a popular collet for T&C use. The AliExpress knockoffs seem to use them.

 

[Chipper5783]

Ok, so another possibly contentious subject, however....

Between ER32/ER40 or 5C Which did you choose and why?

Looking purely at the options of 5C there are round, square, hex, emergency and expanding mandrel collets, not to mention depth stop options.

ER32/40 has no options for square, hex, emergency or expanding mandrel collets, though they do have, what appears to be, a better grip over what they hold and options for tap holding collets.

So, which system have you chosen and why?

**** EDIT ****

Maybe I should make this a little clearer...

I am looking for the reason you have chosen the system you have and the decision process behind it.

I have already settled on a choice, however, being ever curious about why choices are made, I wanted to explore the larger picture of the decision process between either system

**** EDIT ****

What you are seeing is that folks commonly have a few collet systems - it is rare to have just one and you’re good. I’ll spare you all the full list (don’t want to reveal my addiction). The 5C soft collets have been a life saver for me, I prefer TG100 and OZ25 for tool holding (they have quite a shallow taper, never had one slip - so far), I like the ER16, 20, and 25 when I have to get in close and the larger systems have interference, the Pratt B Muitisize (all steel) is great for lathe work holding with full closing coverage (pretty small to pretty big). The point being all the systems have their pluses and minuses (see Dave’s write up) and if you stay in this activity, you will likely end up with a few systems.

 

[Aaron_W]

I started with ER32 as that was the size ER collet chuck that was available for a Sherline lathe / mill. Since I already had ER32 I got accessories that were made for ER32. When I added a bigger lathe I got an ER32 collet for it as well since I already had the collets.

Then I went collet crazy

I currently have ER16, ER32, ER50, MT2, 8mm W-W and 4NS collets. Some of this madness is due to machines using them and coming with a set.

 

[mksj]

It is puzzling when one asks such a question that one does not describe the context of use and the machine in more detail. A 5C chuck would be impractical on a mini/small lathe as well as an ER40 chuck due the the weight size, and stick out. What is the budget and what is the expected use? In a larger lathe a 5C collet closure system may be more ideal and/or a hand wheel collet chuck type, much quicker than and ER system and more repeatability. If you have other machines like a mill, than an ER system collets could be used between machines. The topic has been extensively discussed in previous posts, as well as David Best's white paper.

There is no best collet system between the two, they each have their strengths and weaknesses, and it all depends on the application/use. I have both, I made my own ER40 set-tru chuck quite a few years ago, maybe have used it 2-3X for odd size metric stock. It has a stop system that threads into the back of the chuck similar to the 5C types, but neither of these threaded stop systems are that accurate vs. a through the spindle stop systems that always maintains the same distance as the collet is pulled in/compressed. I use the 5C collet system because I do a lot of small parts, small threaded cap screws and pats that I am turning to a a thickness down to less than 0.1". The 5C with a full set of 1/64th collets is more universal for my needs, but if the intent is to just hold different size stock for turning than an ER system would better holding power and require fewer collets.

Custom ER-40 Set-Tru chuck with threaded stop system. The stop system thread is the same as the 5C collet internal thread so can be used on either chuck system.

Set-Tru 5C chuck and 4J 8" combination chuck, the latter can hold square stock down to 0.2", they each have a different work envelope.


One of the strengths of 5C collets is the ability to easily hold very small and thin (thickness) materials. Pin below is 0.550" overall length and made 10 with a high repeatability, washer needed to be 0.1055" thickness. I used a through the spindle stop system for repeatability.

 

[projectnut]

I use 5C collets mainly because of their versatility. They fit in the collet chuck for the Seneca Falls lathe, collet closer for the Sheldon lathe, Spin indexer, end mill sharpening fixture and several other fixtures. Most are Hardinge collets and were purchased from a used machine tool dealer. I have a complete set by 1/64ths and a dozen or so extras.

 

[SouthernChap]

It is puzzling when one asks such a question that one does not describe the context of use and the machine in more detail. A 5C chuck would be impractical on a mini/small lathe as well as an ER40 chuck due the the weight size, and stick out. What is the budget and what is the expected use? In a larger lathe a 5C collet closure system may be more ideal and/or a hand wheel collet chuck type, much quicker than and ER system and more repeatability. If you have other machines like a mill, than an ER system collets could be used between machines. The topic has been extensively discussed in previous posts, as well as David Best's white paper.

There is no best collet system between the two, they each have their strengths and weaknesses, and it all depends on the application/use. I have both, I made my own ER40 set-tru chuck quite a few years ago, maybe have used it 2-3X for odd size metric stock. It has a stop system that threads into the back of the chuck similar to the 5C types, but neither of these threaded stop systems are that accurate vs. a through the spindle stop systems that always maintains the same distance as the collet is pulled in/compressed. I use the 5C collet system because I do a lot of small parts, small threaded cap screws and pats that I am turning to a a thickness down to less than 0.1". The 5C with a full set of 1/64th collets is more universal for my needs, but if the intent is to just hold different size stock for turning than an ER system would better holding power and require fewer collets.

Custom ER-40 Set-Tru chuck with threaded stop system. The stop system thread is the same as the 5C collet internal thread so can be used on either chuck system.
View attachment 508011
Set-Tru 5C chuck and 4J 8" combination chuck, the latter can hold square stock down to 0.2", they each have a different work envelope.
View attachment 508012

One of the strengths of 5C collets is the ability to easily hold very small and thin (thickness) materials. Pin below is 0.550" overall length and made 10 with a high repeatability, washer needed to be 0.1055" thickness. I used a through the spindle stop system for repeatability.
View attachment 508025
View attachment 508021

That ER-40 chuck is a lovely job.

 

[machPete99]

As others have mentioned, square and hexagonal collet blocks are really handy.
Along with the ER32 set I have the R8 milling chuck and a spin indexer in ER32.
Its a pretty versatile system for smaller diameters (<= 3/4").

 

[GrifterGuru]

Seems like a very varied response with individual preference for either or both systems.

Yes, there was a point to the question since I have been given a brand new 5" 5C collet chuck, 5" to 4" adapter-backplate and an edge technologies collet stop after doing a friend a few favours. They have yet to drop it off or send it to me (depending on circumstance), so I have time to consider my options. I finally understand what all the questions surrounding my lathe were about now too....

Just have to decide whether to keep the 5C kit or move it on. The 16" bed of my 7x is cramped enough already and I am not sure I want to mess about with 5C, I will have to see what happens. The kit is easily worth £225GBP all tolled and above what the favours were worth.

I really don't want to insult my friend by saying I don't need or want it, yet I also have to find a decent solution that appeases both of us.

 

[GrifterGuru]

So these turned up today....

65pc 5C Imperial Collet set 1/16" to 1 - 1/16" in 64th increments. I swear I am going to slap my friend. This goes way beyond the value of the favour I did and well into the territory of taking the mickey.

Even so, it only needs 1/32", 3/64", 1-5/64", 1-3/32", 1-7/64", 1-1/8" to be a complete set, which would make it a set of 71 although the brass emergency collet (not shewn) would make that a total of 72.

I spent the time to label them, but even so, I already have the ER32 set that I am happy with, I do not really have a need for 5C.