Milling tool removal: advice required

[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.