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ER 32 Collet Question

Tomc938

Ultra Member
So I finally ran 220 to my shop and wired up the milling machine (RF30 clone) I bought a few months back. I was going to throw an end mill into the ER 32 collet and give it a try, but when I tried to tighten the large nut that forces the collet into the taper, it hit the collet after only about 1.5-2 threads were engaged. That doesn't seem like a lot of thread to tighten down on. I realize it will get more as it tightens, but is that how these things normally work? Don't want to trash the holder.

Thanks!
 
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I'm sure John's right. Seat the collet into the nut not the holder - it seems backwards. Snap the collet into the nut, then put the nut on the holder a few turns, insert the tool, and tighten a lot. When the collet is in properly the collet face is nearly level with the nut face.
 
First lesson in using a milling machine "Installing Tooling in Collets".

Lesson learned.

Thanks John and Janger!

PS: Also learned I have an ER40, not ER32 collet.
 
Yes good lessons I was lucky enough to have read about that one so I avoided that one but I do remember my first attempt at putting rod into a three jaw chuck that had the jaws out of sync those first few spins were like what's going on here.
Always lots to learn which keeps you going out and getting after it everyday.
 
A few of us made that mistake when first on the milling machines at our NAIT night school courses. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong until the instructor, with a chuckle, showed me what the issue was. I had never used ER collets before, either. Sounds like it is a very common rookie mistake so you're in good company, lol!
 
Yeah torque is not "small" - even with a hammer method I think I am low or reached the limit as I did see dull endmills pull out.
 
And yes Duh me…. I thought my collet nut was a Duff Machined piece of crap….. so I turned the off set diameter inside the collet nut to make the collet sit central inside it, Yeah i know now you have to snap the collet in to the nut, its still useable but a new collet nut is on order
 
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