What Collet Chuck have I got?

**irving2008** · 12-11-2008

As the title says, I have a collet chuck that came with the mill... but I have no idea what sort. Its MT3 taper, can handle anything up to 0.7" (17.7mm) through the nut and the internal opening for the collet in the main body is 22.4mm at the top. The nut is about a 32mm thread. The outer dimensions are 48mm dia and from the top of the nut to the gauge line is 66mm....

Ideas?

**Robin Hewitt** · 13-11-2008

I got a screwed shank milling cutter imperial collet set with mine. I keep a handy reduced shank 3/4" cutter in it, but for everyday I use ER32, cheap and convenient.

Quick reply, still a distinct lack of smileys. glum

**fisherjim** · 16-11-2008

Could be a Clarkson, does it take standard end mills?. Is there a pointed dimple inside the body at the top?.

**irving2008** · 17-11-2008

Originally Posted by fisherjim

Could be a Clarkson, does it take standard end mills?. Is there a pointed dimple inside the body at the top?.

Yes, there's something that looks like a little centre in there.., here are some pics...

**Robin Hewitt** · 17-11-2008

Originally Posted by irving2008

Yes, there's something that looks like a little centre in there.., here are some pics...

That's the one...

Screw the nose shut, it doesn't grip until the cutter is in place. Screw in a milling cutter until it hits the pin, open the nose slightly so you can screw the cutter in another quarter turn then tighten the nose.

Don't screw the cutter in too far, smaller sizes can shatter if not supported by the threads because the nut drives against them.

**irving2008** · 17-11-2008

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

That's the one...

Screw the nose shut, it doesn't grip until the cutter is in place. Screw in a milling cutter until it hits the pin, open the nose slightly so you can screw the cutter in another quarter turn then tighten the nose.

Don't screw the cutter in too far, smaller sizes can shatter if not supported by the threads because the nut drives against them.

Hmmm, I dont understand - what does the cutter 'screw' onto, there's no thread as such inside...

[edit]Ah - I see... its a Clarkson Posilock.. uses threaded tanged collets... so I need to buy a set of collets at £35 then some special threaded endmills at £5 - 8 a go...

Should I maybe just go get an ER25 or ER32 collet set...?[/edit]

**Robin Hewitt** · 17-11-2008

Originally Posted by irving2008

Ah - I see... its a Clarkson Posilock.. uses threaded tanged collets...

So you didn't get the wooden box with chuck, spanner and set of four Imperial collets then?

No great loss, compared to the ER32 I now use, it's a piece of dung. Millling cutters from yesteryear only.

I tried inserting a bolt in the back of the 1/4" collet to give it something to press against so I could use an unthreaded cutter, but it didn't have the grip.

**Lee Roberts** · 17-11-2008

Use the "Post Reply" button or the "Go Advanced" button, the box below the thread is a quick reply system. :)

**Robin Hewitt** · 17-11-2008

Pressed post reply, still no smilies GLUM

**irving2008** · 17-11-2008

Originally Posted by Kip

Irving, I just use collets in the MT3 for the simple reason I'm tight....and the next machine has R8 I also like the fact of the overhang being reduced.....And being tight :D

Have you seen the SIP unit on fleabay? Heidenhain DRO

Yes, I've been watching it..

Same as mine :) (ok so there's a lot of tooling I dont have)... So far tho all the ones that have come up on eBay in the last 3 weeks have all been £500++ , so the £365 I paid was a good deal :) (mine has DRO on vertical)