ER32, ER25 or Direct R8 collets ?

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I don't think anyone has mentioned that using R8 collet the tool tip to bearing overhang is less giving greater rigidity. When I had my Naerok I used R8 collet most of the time for holding milling cutters, and if given the choice of MT or R8 on a machine I'd always plump for R8.

If I were a superhero Like Nils Abdegard (hope I've spelled that right) I'd make a new spindle for my Centec, but I'm not!

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 06/10/2020 10:46:34:

Posted by Clive Foster on 05/10/2020 23:07:12:

SillyOldDuffer

Thats an impressive list of things to put in an ER collet. …

Clive

It's what our machines are used for and how that makes the difference. Most of what I do can be done by changing collets, which is quicker on an MT machine than undoing the drawbar and swapping the whole tool. Not everything is suitable for collets though: boring heads go in the spindle, and it's well worth changing to a drill chuck when a job requires a lot of different sized holes to be drilled. But most of my drilling is done with collets. Other examples too.

I'm in two minds about sets and buying in anticipation. Sets have two advantages: they solve the "I don't know what size I need yet" beginner dilemma, and – provided most of the set is eventually used – they're cheaper than buying one at a time. Also, owning sets saves time if they avoid jobs stopping dead while a tool is ordered. On the other hand, I've wasted money on a few tools that have never been used. It always hurts.

Dave

Like you Dave I’ve found ER32 invaluable and use it on the lathe, Mill, woodwork lathe and collet blocks and spindexer. Unlike many on here it seems, I couldn’t afford a complete set of collets so bought the most needed first and filled in the gaps later. Obviously we all have different “resources” so what works for one doesn’t apply to everyone. I too use them for all sorts of odd size drill bits etc on my mill for which a finger collet simply wouldn’t do. As others have mentioned before, whilst you do loose some Z height, you also gain some space around the cutter to see what’s going on when using small milling cutters. Also as said using a collet chuck reduces wear and tear on the Morse Taper and bearings etc in the quill. Considering how cheaply the chucks are it seemed silly not to get one. I just wish the over size collets were a bit cheaper as the single 1” version I bought has come in very handy on the lathe.

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