ER32 collet use.

Is there a minimum length that can be gripped in an ER32 collet please? I'm an old dog learning new tricks. I'm less concerned about the work moving, than damaging the collet. Also, I wish to purchase a holder to mount the collets on my Myford. RDG Tools and Arctrade Euro both advertise them for around £45. Axminster tools stock one in a wooden box complete with the three screws an a "C" spanner, for just over £100. None of the firms mentioned seem to make any claim as to the standard of accuracy to expect. Has any one any comments please?

Regards Maurice

Hi Maurice,

As far as I know the cutting tool (or bar) should preferably be inserted the full length of the collet or at least 2/3 of the length. Here is one website giving info about ER collets and their use.

Thor

You can hold a short length if you put a length of bar of the same diameter of the workpiece in the collet first. I did exactly that an hour ago.

Simon

I would agree broadly with Thor.

Some of the smaller ER32 collets have the nominal bore size finishing part way through the collet, that is (say) 10mm collet has a length of 10mm diameter maybe half the length (say 20mm) of the collet. I generally try and stick enough material up the spout to at least the end of the nominal size, ....if that makes sense.

cheers

Bill

Thor

Check your link... I tried it & came up with a virus threat...

George.

Thor... That's a useful site - thanks for that. I've filed it away in my 'Useful info' file.

The info's out there - just got to find it!

John

My Avast (anti-virus) program blocked Thor's site: said it contained malware.

My AVG programme also kicked in.

Leo

The optimum insertion length would be to the full depth of the bore griping surface, noting that some are recessed at the rear, any less a length, although possible, runs 2 risks.

Firstly you may strain the collet because of the lesser engagement length and secondly, you will not get the maximum grip available. You takes your chance.

I bought a set of ER25 collets and chuck for my milling machine from RDG at the Harrogate show this year, and as an afterthought also purchased their collet chuck for my Myford Speed 10. The instructions for machining and fitting the two parts of the chuck together are on their website, and are very easy to do. I am as pleased as punch with my purchase, and would definitely use RDG again.

Nod 32 also flags it.

David

Thanks for the feedback gents. Much as I assumed. Just got to decide where to get the nose piece from. Thanks again

Maurice

I've worked on small items with only 5 or 6mm in the collet without any problems. It's worth mentioning that whilst the larger size collets may grip over the full 40mm depth the smaller sizes don't. Taking a random collet from my set the 6-5 collet only grips over 25mm.

The "nose piece" from ARC which includes a bearing to lower the effort required to close and open collets is worth looking at. Much easier.

I have just looked at RDG's webpage for the Myford collet chuck. It includes the fitting instructions which say " clean up the backplate, fit the chuck but do not fully tighten the screw. Check the taper for accuracy. If there is a high spot, tap it to correct it. Tighten the screws". Really? What happened to turning the backplate to be a close fit in the register? It does not inspire confidence it the product.

Regards Maurice

I was going to say why not use the Soba type which doesn't use an intermediate backplate but the ER32 version seem to have disappeared off the shelves since I got mine some years ago.

Odd because the ER25 version is still around.

WARCO still have ER32

Don't see it on their website KWIL ... just ER25.

I understand the website I linked to raised the antivirus flags for some of you, sorry for that. George, I run AVG myself and didn't get any flags raised when I visited the website, also tried just now, and still no reaction.

Thor

Antivirus software is not perfect, there is no problem with the page (though I do like the screenshot above saying the "threat" had been removed, that is quite funny) your antivirus software probably needs an update.

However, accept everything I say about antivirus with a pinch of salt, I am still apologetic to someone here about this sort of thing though I am usually on the ball.

graham.