Easy Question on Collet Rings

[Troutsqueezer]

My collet set came in last week. I purchase an 18 piece set of 5C collets and a collet block set from CDCO and it didn't take long to find a use for them, tweaking some piston rods for proper clearance. Next on the list is the collet chuck but that's a few bucks so will have to wait a bit.

Maybe if I think about this long enough I'll come up with the answer to this question myself but today my brain's in Hawaii, I'm in lazy mode and not around my work shop so here's the question:

There are two "quick acting rings" included with this collet block set. How do these get used? Seems like the lever-handled collet closer provides any quickness here.

-Trout

 

[vlmarshall]

The ring nuts do the same thing as the locking lever, only slower, and with the aid of a ring spanner. With the ring nut, you can flip the part in a vise without the lever getting in the way. I almost never use the lever lock, myself. ;D

 

[GailInNM]

Like Vernon said. This is particularly true if you are trying to stand it on end to do some end drilling work in in a mill. If you do this, be sure to get it vertical with a square on the edge not squared by the vice jaws. The ring and/or the end of the collet may not be square enough as they are not precision finished.

One hint. It is sometime hard to get the ring threaded on tight enough to get a good grip on the stock. A 0.010 PTFE (Teflon) washer over the end of the collet for the ring to bear on makes life a lot easier on by reducing the friction between the ring and the collet holder body.

Gail in NM

 

[mklotz]

Like Vernon, I've never used the lever operated closer. I used the lathe to take a skim cut off the locking rings so I can trust them when holding the block vertical.

Now that you have collets, you might want to consider making a horizontal/vertical collet divider gizmo like mine...

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=2554.msg22399#msg22399

One of the handiest things I've ever made for myself.

 

[Troutsqueezer]

Thanks guys. The question seemed simple enough but like everything in machining it seems there are angles to tooling and setups that are not readily apparent to the un-experienced eye.

I wonder if the ring spanner that came with my mill will fit this. Next time I'm in the shed I'll give it a whirl.

Sounds like I need to come up with a Teflon washer somewhere, I'll keep my eye out for something I can modify for use.

I'll also have to think about how I can mount the ring on my lathe so I am sure it is square with the machine before I true it up.

Marv, the collet divider thingie looks interesting. I've made a page for it in OneNote. It's another item I'll get around to upon my upcoming retirement.

-Trout

 

[vlmarshall]

I'll also have to think about how I can mount the ring on my lathe so I am sure it is square with the machine before I true it up.

Can you chuck a collet block in the lathe with a collet clamped on something to keep everything tight, and face the ring without hitting the collet threads?

 

[kvom]

In bought my set from Enco along with the pin spanner used for the rings. Likewise, I never use the lever lock ring.

For tightening and loosening the ring, I usually clamp the blocks in the mill vise before applying the spanner.

 

[DICKEYBIRD]

Here's a link to the spanner I made for mine a while back. If I had it to do over, I'd make the handle longer. I like to get my collets TIGHT.

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=3435.0

 

[mklotz]

Can you chuck a collet block in the lathe with a collet clamped on something to keep everything tight, and face the ring without hitting the collet threads?

Yep, Vernon, that's exactly how I did it.