Acceptable run-out on Axminster SX1 milling machine?

Great news! 😁

The finger collets arrived today and on initial measurements I'm getting about 0.01 to 0.02mm run out on both of them (6mm and 10mm ones) on the shank of the milling cutters themselves ... MUCH better! 😎

Thanks for your help in confirming this was NOT normal for the ER20 system!

Axminster have issued me a freepost return label and they'll give me a full refund for the holder and two collets too, so all's well that ends well 👍🏼

Cheers!

David

The main problem is that to sell gear that is 100% tested at the factory will easily increase the price several times.

The high precision collets and holders mentioned by Andrew are no doubt selected by such a process.

Because we hobbyists won't play silly prices, we have to accept there's always a chance of getting products that are out of specification, although these days this is the exception not the rule. As demonstrated above, the responsible suppliers will refund or replace without fuss.

Neil

Is it the testing that mostly accounts for the higher prices of higher priced ER collets? I always thought it was mostly the cost of the machinery required to make them, the expertise and employee commitment required to operate it effectively, the materials used, the extra time probably invested per unit item to achieve the required precision, and the inevitable reduced market demand for a relatively expensive alternative to much cheaper options - something that will always militate against economies of scale.

I agree. Also things are available at various price points to suit most pockets but obviously quality control will tail off at the cheaper end of the market. I can't afford the top end equipment but am able to machine up some of the loose tolerances on some of the kit I buy (either worn and second hand or some of the indian made equipment which has a slightly more cavalier approach to quality control) which makes it affordable to me. Some things I don't scrimp on of course.