I apologize if this is a redundant post but here goes.I just sold a few un-used tools and as an early Christmas present from the wife I am about to purchase a BEALL Collet Chuck for use in my Jet 920N metal.I have read many of the posts here regarding pros & cons of different collet sets particularly metric Vs standard fractional sets. I have located a seller that is a few miles from my house here in Vancouver Wa. that only has fractional ER-32 sets on hand but he can get ER-32 metric sets. The fractional 18 pc ER-32 set he has on hand is just under $100.00, I would save shipping since I can pick them up at his location.I couldn't find anything at present from 800watt on E-bay.My questions are:1. Would I be better off waiting for the metric set or will the fractional work just as well?2. Are any of you guys familiar with this seller? (see link bellow)3. Is this a good buy?
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Howdy folks,
We are in the process of starting a small family machine shop. This has been going on for a while as I've relentlessly shopped for machines and bought them when priced within our budget. That's another way of saying I've been buying antiquated or antique machines at or near scrap prices.
Anyway, on to collets. This enquiry is specific to a Gorton 1-22 tracer mill. The mill has an NMTB 30 taper. It uses a drawbar with a 1/2"-13 end if my memory serves.
We already have a few 30 taper tool holders. These are the ones that use a straight shank cutter with a flat on 'em held in by a set screw in the side of the holder. Gorton also had an optional quick change system that used series 100 collets if I'm not mistaken. However, these are now rare, expensive, and hard to find.
We also happen to have a set of "ESX" collets that came with a small Emco Meier lathe. Apparently, the ESX collets are dimensionally identical to, and interchangeable with, ER collets.
I have studied up on ER collets. It appears that they are a very versatile collet system. I lifted the following descriptive text from a wikipedia article on collets:
"The "ER" collet system, invented and patented by Rego-Fix in 1973, is the most widely used clamping system in the world.[3] ER collets are now available from dozens of companies worldwide. The standard sizes are ER-8, ER-11, ER-16, ER-20, ER-25, ER-32, ER-40, ER-50. The "ER" comes from an existent "E" collet which Rego-Fix modified and appended "R" for "Rego-Fix". The number is the cavity opening diameter in millimeters, which is nearly the outside collet diameter.[4]"
There appears to be a ready supply of quick change collet chucks of various brands available on ebay and elsewhere. These are available in various tapers - including NMTB 30 taper - which is the critter that would fit our Gorton mill.
Even though I've read the above quoted text several times I just don't get it. Specifically, I don't understand the numbers (8, 11, 16, 20, etc.) although I THINK I correctly understand that the numbers represent the collet opening in millimeters of the LARGEST COLLET IN THE SET???
If somebody would confirm or negate my understanding that would be helpful.
My objective is to buy an NMTB 30 collet chuck for ER collets in a size range that would be suitable for our machine. A Gorton 1-22 mill has a 2 hp motor so it's a mid-range mill, although it makes our Bridgeport look like a happy meal toy. Since I am not a machinist I'm not sure what an appropriate upper size limit would be. In other words, should I buy a collet chuck for ER-8? Or ER-50? Or will the same chuck hold them all?
That's about it for the moment. I will welcome all suggestions and recommendations.
Thanks,
VT
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