Cleaning ER collets

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

Does anybody have an easy way of cleaning out the debris from ER collets. A toothbrush can get to most of the slots but the bore seems to be rather tricky. Cotton buds tend to get caught up on the sharp internal edges of the slots, leaving strands of cotton inside. Has anyone got a (cheap) solution?

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You can buy a set of small brass wire “bottle brushed” for cleaning the collets used on woodworking routers which will do the job. Trend make them.

 

J

 

 

[Donhe7Participant @donhe7]

Speaking as one unfamiliar with ER collets, may I suggest pipe cleaners as a possible solution to the problem

 

donhe7

[magpieParticipant @magpie]

Chronos do a large set of round brushes. Various sizes in soft bristle, brass wire, and steel wire. The set also has a handle and an extension to reach down boiler tubes. I bought a set at the Harrogate show last May, and have found them very usefull.

 

Derek

[RJWParticipant @rjw]

You could always try Gun brushes, supplied in various sizes and used for cleaning gun barrels!

I used them all the time for cleaning out oilway drillings in crankshafts, picked them up for not a lot of money from a local gunsmiths shop.

J.

Edited By RJW on 26/11/2011 10:42:02

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Is this for cleaning or polishing to put on the mantlepiece ?

 

Been using ER’s since they first came out, a swipe thru the slots with a 6″ rule or bit of steel banding and a quick blow down the bore and jobs a good un.

 

Does pay to drop them on the demagnetiser from time to time.

 

John S.

[Dave MartinParticipant @davemartin29320]

If there’s “gunge” in there, try dropping them in an ultrasonic cleaner (just make sure to dry them out properly afterwards though, possibly in the bottom oven on a low heat!)

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

Soft paint brush in a pot of white spirit works wonders.

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

Thanks for the replies, some excellent ideas for cleaning the collets. I like the idea of the brass bottle or test tube type cleaners so I must get some if I can find a source that does not charge an arm and a leg for postage.

I need to go now as I have to polish the lathe before puting it on the mantlepiece.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I’m the untidiest worker in the world and I don’t seem to get swarf inside my ER collets. What have you been doing with them, Douglas?

 

Neil

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Always check “brass” brushes with a magnet.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Like John, I give mine a quick blast of air down the bore whilst I block the other end to ensure the air has to exit through the slots.

 

Martin.

[Jens Eirik Skogstad 1Participant @jenseirikskogstad1]

I has ER 32 collets, the collets is cleaned free for chips with air blast. In case dirty by oil/cutting fluid: use white spirit + air blast (do not use indoor due fog of white spirit).

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