Milling tool removal: advice required

[Muzzer]

I would consider buying a replacement collet nut, possibly from a different source, although this may be tricky, as they have omitted to specify the collet system they are using. As you suggest, they are supposed to extract the collet, since taper seats with such a narrow taper angle are not inherently self-releasing.

I take it you have oiled the chuck before tightening and the collets are clean and unblemished? Do you leave the cutter in place when trying to release the collet -- this might prevent the collet from contracting and give you just enough engagement with the nut to make a difference.

I notice the instructions don't address removal of the collet. Your problems may be simply the result of poor design and/or quality control (it's probably made in China anyway) - German and Swiss manufacturers love to trade on their supposedly superior engineering when reality often results in a different experience. Speaking as the owner of a 4 wheeled money pit.

[Rob Meades]

Thanks for the response!

I would consider buying a replacement collet nut...

Yes, that was my feeling also, I've just sent the UK agent where I bought the machine (prototools.co.uk) a message asking if they can supply one. It seems an incredibly simple tool retention system, little that can go wrong in what is, after all, just a nut/taper. And you're right that the manual only shows tool insertion, not tool removal, which I always thought was a bit bizarre.

I have not tried oiling the chuck, will do that, but I have tried the procedure with a collet from the supplied set that I happen not to have used, fresh from the sealed baggie, and the situation is the same, so the problem does not appear to be collet damage.

Do you leave the cutter in place when trying to release the collet -- this might prevent the collet from contracting and give you just enough engagement with the nut to make a difference.

In order to have any chance of releasing a collet I have to pull the milling tool free with a mole grips, which is already hard enough.

I will report back here with how I fare in fixing this.