Collet chuck on a budget

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:40 pm

I've been on the hunt for a collet chuck ever since Jack first posted about their benefits some time back. Problem is, for a 5C collet chuck and some collets, I'd be looking at a significant investment - even an import chuck goes for nearly $200, and then you still have to buy and machine a backing plate, AND buy a selection of collets.

Not wanting to sell an internal organ or pimp myself out on the street corner to fund my collet chuck needs, I figured I was doomed to live life without one - until I found this:
http://www.bealltool.com/products/turni ... tchuck.php

Instead of 5C collets, it uses ER32 - which are inexpensive and available everywhere. The max collet size is 13/16", but for my purposes, that's not an issue. I ordered one with a selection of collets and have been using it for holding aluminum, polyester, ebonite, and even a tobacco chamber bits while drilling a stummel after shaping. I'm very impressed.

If you're looking for a collet chuck, and haven't been able to afford a 5C collet chuck, this may be worth a look.

Anvil · Post by **Anvil** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:10 am

I used a lot of these style of collet when I worked machining aluminum engine parts. They always did the job and I didn't have any problems. I don't know why they wouldn't work in a lathe, given the proper holder to mount in. It sounds like one of those instances where a gadget was invented for certain types of work and was never applied to another even though it would work just as well.

Congrats on the find and I hope they give you many years of worry free service.

JBW · Post by **JBW** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:23 pm

Kurt, that's a good price on those. If you need any extras check this site -

http://www.smalltools.com/new.asp

They have new and used tooling at very good prices.

I've been very pleased with the things I've gotten from them.

PS - If you decide to go with the 5C collets (or find a used set cheap

), you might be able use this for a chuck.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAK ... TPG=INLMK3

kbosi · Post by **kbosi** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:18 pm

Collets are a great thing. been using them for about a year.
there is a guy on ebay that goes by the name of 800watts has some great prices.

pipeyeti · Post by **pipeyeti** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:10 am

I have 2 of the beal collet chucks one for my taig and one for my jet. They work great and didn't break the bank. Well worth the money.

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:32 am

kbosi wrote:Collets are a great thing. been using them for about a year.
there is a guy on ebay that goes by the name of 800watts has some great prices.

I actually got a full set of metric collets from that seller for a pretty darn good price. I opted for metric since it had collets for everything from 3mm up to 20mm by 1mm increments. I've been eyeing a couple other things from him too, but don't have an immediate NEED for any of them. Yet.