Q-Tech Collet Chuck

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by MC Black 2 on 19/07/2020 16:36:01:

I think it may be 1.7/8 AF

…. raises the general question: for a nominal 1-7/8 AF, is it the spanner that is made to the nominal and the part slightly less to suit, or vice-versa?

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

I have measured the size across flats very carefully

Using a digital caliper, it's 46.08 AF

Bot it may still be 1.7/8 AF (47.63mm) or 1.1/8 BSW (47.24mm)

However, the suggestion to use the (unlabelled) spindle lock, a Ball Bearing nut and a four point spanner may solve the problem.

I'm tempted to buy the Ball Bearing nut for the ER16 Collets on my lathe at the same time.

I am so pleased that I found the Forum; it's been so very helpful. Very many thanks again

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

Posted by Gary Wooding on 19/07/2020 09:47:13:

**THIS** will almost certainly do the job for you, and cheap too.

I have now ordered one.

It seems a useful tool at a good price – and it's NOT a fortune if it's junk!

Very many thanks again

MC Black

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

I've never got on with adjustable spanners for that sort of one job duty. Either they sort of self adjust without me noticing or get stolen for another job and get put back in the wrong place. Both being vocabularily inspiring. But not in a good way.

Having got it and used it for a bit I'd take a very careful look at what you find the best angle between the C spanner and lock spanner is and make a special one with the shaft at the best angle to the jaws for you.

I'd probably arrange them to be quite close so I could squeeze them together for the initial unlocking or final tightening. Other folk might use a significant angle, maybe 30°-40° or so, putting the ends sort of chest width to push with elbows out. Hate that myself. Or maybe a more open angle so one arm is straight out holding steady for the othe to do the work. A monster torque method for me.

Perhaps just arrange it so it butts up against part of the machine. I know that is effectively the same as using the spindle lock but it seems kinder to keep all the heaving within the chuck structure.

Clive

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 19/07/2020 09:23:10:

'Superwide' adjustable spanners like this one could fit without the hassle and ungainliness of 24" stilsons, but would cost you about £20 at least. I don't use mine on a mill but nearly everywhere else!

I ordered one

In my view, it's NOT fit for purpose since it does NOT open to the full range described in the listing

I am waiting to hear from the seller about a refund.

I bought a Ball Bearing ER32 Collet nut from Arc and the expensive spanner to tighten it.

The spanner will NOT fit the nut.

I rang Arc and a gentleman told me that there were lots of complaints and it needs a little filing to make the spigots in the spanner fit the recesses on the nut.

It seems to me that spanners that do NOT fit the nut should NOT be sold.

The gentleman gave me the choice of returning the nut for exchange OR filing it. But he said that he would NOT be able to take it back if I filed.

I suggested that the spanners should have all be filed to fit the nuts before being sold; but the chap disagreed with me.

MC

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

A ‘C’ spanner? Not the best choice, IMO.

This type (not necessarily from this source) is the type I use. Longer handle and padded, but a bear to locate. I ground/cut/milled off two of the notches on mine and it locates much easier. Both my spanners will usually remain in place if I let go of either or both of them.

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

It was NOT the C-spanner.

It was the one here:

**LINK**

Which of the "spigots?" did you remove?

A C-spanner came with the Chuck but it was difficult to undo the nut so I followed the advice from another reader to buy the Ball Bearing nut and the forged spanner

With best wishes and thanks

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

OK, no need to shout – I only asked! It was the only one that came up on my search. The inner ones (I very much doubt it would work satisfactorily if the outer lugs were removed? I don’t think mine is as thick as that one and not forged, either. I’m not recommending that course of action, just reporting what I did.

It has not broken yet and I see no reason why it should (comparing it with the usual ‘C’ spanner – and it is easier to get the torque somewhere close to that required in the specs.

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

My computer always sets "not" in upper case [for the avoidance of doubt].

I apologise if I upset you

It was the end spigots that would NOT fit easily in the recesses on the nut.

I shall very carefully ease the lengths of the two outer spigots and see what happens.

[Author]

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