Thanks for the responses everyone!!!!
Has anyone use a Collet Nut that has a bearing in it? I’ve read conflicting opinions on them, that the bearing is more likely going to allow the collet to spin, but it will allow the work to be gripped with more pressure.
I look for clean machining, no burrs anywhere, zero rust.
My cheap collets look like that, except for the slots which look a bit rough.
You also need to check both runout at the collet and axial runout 2 or 3 inches beyond the collet.
Good point, I’ll do that.
That's the same ER40 collet set I bought and I'm happy with them.
I’m glad to hear that. Because they seemed so cheap, I’ve been wondering what their quality is like.
I’ve only bought one thing from Accusize, that was a positive experience so I’ll experiment with a few more.
They come in two common tolerance classes - AA and AAA…0.0005 thou are the cheap stuff at AA grade, i.e. 0.01mm.
That’s interesting, I’ll keep an eye out for that.
just 118 - and with some coupon magic its like 112.
Thanks for the vevor link, I saw that too, any magic is good!
if you plan on using imperial size endmills or tooling, I would supplement your set with the imperial size of your tools.
I was attracted to ER because of their range of workholding. But my suspicious side makes me think that using metric for everything will not be ideal…
As you get near the limits, you start to lose grip and increase run out, at worst you cause permanent damage.
My set just says “7-6mm“, “6-5mm”. It does make sense to use the “6-5mm” one for 6mm.
I came across this site selling regular metric sizes but also 12.7, 6.35, 3.175 mm sizes, no other reason I can see but to better accommodate imperial sizes.
Interesting they didn’t just put imperial labels on them…
I have a full set of metric ER40 with several half sizes, and 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, and 1" in imperial.
Looks like after I practise more, I’ll be considering purchasing an imperial set to go with my metric set.
…the ER Collet Nut indexing for other readers. ER nuts include an eccentric retaining collar. NEVER simply press the collets in and out of the nut…
I’ve read that, though have yet to play with my collets.
Closer inspection showed that the retaining collar was in fact concentric with the rest of the features.
Interesting, it almost seems like they copied them without knowing how they work…
…I got like a dozen ER nuts and so far none have had any issues…
But I think he is right. It's something to watch for especially for someone new to ER collets.
That’s good advice. I like the cost of the import tools, but you often get what you pay for…