5 Things to Know Before Buying CNC Collet Chuck Price

Router Collet Set 5C, Collet Adapter RPM, D1-8 Collet Chuck, Rotary Collet | eBay

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Would slot right onto my M400 spindle nose, and a full set of metric 5C collets 1-30mm for a max total of £270.
My current chucks are 10" 3j and 12" 4j, with a little 5" 3j I clamp in one of the bigger chucks if I need to grip anything below a certain size (I think the 10" 3j goes down to about 13mm ish).

But it's not ideal, and there's a lot of mass to spin up and slow down if I want to do sub 10mm at rpm, and I'd like the repeatability of a collet chuck.

Has anyone tried one of these cheap chucks, are they any good?

Should i hold out and make an ER40 chuck with a backplate instead? TBH for the cost of a D1-8 backplate, buying one of these chucks and cutting the backplate off it would be more cost effective!

No desperate rush, I'm broke for now so more just thinking atm. Or should I get one of these instead?

ER40 Collet Chuck 100mm Diameter Compact Lathe Tight Tolerance for Milling XY | eBay

ER40 100mm Collet Chuck CNC Lathe Tool Holder. Modle: ER40. 1 x ER40 collet block. - Can also be used as a fixture on a milling table. - Mount to your choice of backplate to use on a lathe. Adjustable Car Dual Cup Holder Sunglasses Organizer Drinking Bottle Holder.
I can hold it in a 3j/4j chuck for now, with a view to grafting it into a backplate at some point?

ER40 does sound like a better design than 5C... but it's that backplate I'm going back to The one to which you link looks like the chuck part is separate to the backplate part, probably with a register machined on the backplate to unite the two. If you can confirm it is supplied that way, then go for it.

If it is supplied as one piece, then what will you do if it has run out when you install it?

The two piece construction is good as if it does not run true when you get it, you can reduce the register a little, maybe enlarge the holes in the chuck to give some wiggle room on the bolts (reduce the cap screw head diameter rather than enlarging the counterbore), dial it in true and squeeze it up tight.

Remember to mark the backplate so it coincides with the reference mark on your camlock spindle so it always goes back the same way.

5C is good as you can grip short lengths and also fit a backstop for repetition, both of which are hard with ER. Square and hex collets are available for 5C, and not for ER.

The one to which you link looks like the chuck part is separate to the backplate part, probably with a register machined on the backplate to unite the two. If you can confirm it is supplied that way, then go for it.

You may be right... it does look like a seperate backplate on 2nd glance... In that case it's not bad value if the backplate is made right, like you say it could be repurposed easily and also easier to true the 5C chuck if needed.
Maybe even use it for both 5C and ER40 chucks... eventually.

This is all pipe dream btw, I've got no spare money to chuck at this right now, lol Buy or make an ER40. Camlock d1-8 doesnt look difficult - 12 tapped holes and a 7* 7' 30" taper which you'd indicate off your spindle nose.
The 5c chuck looks like the body is one peice, dont think it could be repurposed.

5C is good as you can grip short lengths and also fit a backstop for repetition, both of which are hard with ER. Square and hex collets are available for 5C, and not for ER.

ER just needs a spacer, same or slightly smaller diameter, at the far end of the collet for shorts and will hold hex bar accurately in standard collets. Square collets are not common, some exist, but I have never wanted to hold a square..

Collets aren't as repeatable as I thought.
I assumed you could take a piece out. Put it back in and just carry on. Not so.
Ideal for repetition or holding stuff securely. Also more rigid than a 3 or 4 jaw chuck. Less deflection.

They can and should be if your starting with a bar thats true along length. How much runout are you getting?

Has anyone tried one of these cheap chucks, are they any good?

I bought a similar import 5C collet chuck last year - though opted for the plain back, so I could true it up on a separate camlock backplate. I would say it's perfectly alright for the price. Quite handy for repetitive work, especially when used with a 5C collet stop. I do have the feeling that a draw tube / collet closer would be a bit nicer to use, it's a fair few turns on that key when swapping collets.

They can and should be if your starting with a bar thats true along length. How much runout are you getting?

That is what I thought.
I have a Jacobs rubberflex on my Triumph. I fine tune it to about a tenth. Get about 3 tenths on a piece of ground steel.
My 5c hardinge collets on my Feeler lathe about the same.
I thought you could machine something. Take it out and carry on where you left off bit not in my case.
As a result I have gone back to the 3 jaw for most things on the Triumph.
On the feeler it's all collets. I was lucky to get loads Inc hex and square. All genuine Hardinge ones.

Or should I get one of these instead?

ER40 Collet Chuck 100mm Diameter Compact Lathe Tight Tolerance for Milling XY | eBay

ER40 100mm Collet Chuck CNC Lathe Tool Holder. Modle: ER40. 1 x ER40 collet block. - Can also be used as a fixture on a milling table. - Mount to your choice of backplate to use on a lathe. Adjustable Car Dual Cup Holder Sunglasses Organizer Drinking Bottle Holder.
I can hold it in a 3j/4j chuck for now, with a view to grafting it into a backplate at some point?

ER40 does sound like a better design than 5C... but it's that backplate I'm going back to

I’ve been switching back and forth with the idea of 5C vs ER40 myself, not really come to a decision.

If you are going to buy an ER chuck, I'd suggest looking at the ones from Arc Euro - from what I've seen, they seem to be better regarded for QC, and the guy stands by them and will sort out a replacement if you get a duff one with a load of runout, which seems to be quite common with these cheap ER chucks.

The other thing I've seen mentioned quite a bit is that the cheap 5c collets tend to be pretty good and consistent, whereas the cheap ER collets are very much a lottery.
I believe the 5C typically have better TIR than the ER unless you pay for extra precision versions. Overall I think ER is a better system, but it is possibly less clearcut at my level of budget

That is what I thought.
I have a Jacobs rubberflex on my Triumph. I fine tune it to about a tenth. Get about 3 tenths on a piece of ground steel.
My 5c hardinge collets on my Feeler lathe about the same.
I thought you could machine something. Take it out and carry on where you left off bit not in my case.
As a result I have gone back to the 3 jaw for most things on the Triumph.
On the feeler it's all collets. I was lucky to get loads Inc hex and square. All genuine Hardinge ones.

Like Kram, repeatability is spot bollock with mine. Only thing which can throw it off is if there's a bit of swarf or crap in there.

The other thing I've seen mentioned quite a bit is that the cheap 5c collets tend to be pretty good and consistent, whereas the cheap ER collets are very much a lottery.
I believe the 5C typically have better TIR than the ER unless you pay for extra precision versions. Overall I think ER is a better system, but it is possibly less clearcut at my level of budget

I bought a cheap set of ER32's, & I've had absolutely no problems with them.

Have I ever mentioned that I love my collet chuck?

If you take a piece of ground stock and give it a light cut half way along can you then flip it in the chuck and machine the other half with no step?

I've not done that specifically, (I've had no reason to), but anything I have worked on so far has been perfectly fine. As I said, if anything has been off, it was down to crap being in the taper.

(This article is an updated version of the original that was published in .)

Link to DRAKE

When considering the purchase of a CNC lathe or turning center, it is important to ensure that the workholding system is matched to both the machine’s capabilities and the type of work that it will be doing. For example, the workholding system for a large-bore oil-patch lathe that will be machining pipe threads is probably not going to be the right solution for a high-speed multitasking machine making hip joints.     

Many CNC lathes and turning centers come equipped from the factory with a standard workholding system consisting of a three-jaw power chuck, a hydraulic actuating cylinder and a drawtube. The hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the rear end of the machine’s spindle, while the chuck is mounted to the front side, or working side, of the spindle. These two components are typically connected together via the hollow steel drawtube that passes through the spindle bore.  

The opening and closing of the chuck jaws are accomplished through the axial motion of the hydraulic actuator’s piston. As the piston slides back and forth, the drawtube moves in unison, driving a wedge-shaped plunger within the chuck body. This plunger converts axial motion to radial motion, causing the jaws to open and close. The amount of gripping force that the jaws apply to a workpiece is directly related to the actuator output force and is easily regulated with a pressure valve. 

As a universal workholding device, a three-jaw chuck functions well for many common turning applications. It can hold a range of part sizes, is capable of operating at reasonable rotational speeds and achieves good accuracies—particularly when the jaws are bored in place. 

A CNC collet chuck mounts to the working side of a CNC lathe spindle in the same manner as a three-jaw chuck and uses the machine’s existing hydraulic cylinder and drawtube for actuation.

However, there are many applications where a jaw chuck is not the best workholding option, which has led to the development of a range of alternative solutions. The most common among these is the CNC collet chuck.

A CNC collet chuck mounts to the working side of a CNC lathe spindle in the same manner as a three-jaw chuck and uses the machine’s existing hydraulic cylinder and drawtube for actuation. The installation of a collet chuck usually requires the fitment of an intermediate adapter between the chuck and drawtube to compensate for thread and position disparities. This adapter is custom machined for the specific lathe/chuck combination and is normally included in the price of the collet chuck.           

Small Diameter Parts

CNC collet chucks were originally developed to facilitate the machining of smaller parts. Although collet chucks are available with capacities of as large as about 6 inches, the majority of applications are for workpiece diameters measuring 3 inches or less. In fact, the benefits achieved by using a collet chuck on parts in this size range are so significant, many lathe manufacturers and machine tool distributors now allow customers to purchase their machines with a collet chuck already installed as the standard workholding device.         

The most obvious advantage when machining parts in the 0 to 3-inch range is the additional tool clearance provided by a collet chuck’s streamlined shape and reduced nose diameter. This arrangement enables machining to take place much closer to the chuck, providing maximum rigidity and better surface finishes. In contrast, the large diameter of a three-jaw chuck and its jaws typically requires the part being machined to extend further into the work zone, thereby increasing the likelihood of deflection.    

Higher RPM

Collet chucks also lend themselves to small diameter work because their lower mass and symmetrical geometries enable them to run at higher speeds than conventional three-jaw chucks. Being comparatively lighter in weight, collet chucks are less prone to the negative effects of centrifugal force and, therefore, tend to produce more consistent gripping force over the entire rpm range.

Tubes and Thin-Walled Parts

One of the major differences between a collet chuck and a three-jaw chuck is evident in the area of workpiece engagement. A jaw chuck typically provides three points of contact—one for each jaw. Conversely, a collet chuck and collet offers 360-degree support. This additional contact helps reduce the chance of part slippage, and also plays an important role in the machining of tubes and thin-walled parts. By distributing the gripping force evenly over the entire workpiece circumference, the risks of pinching and crushing are reduced. 

Some additional benefits of using a collet chuck when bar feeding include reduced vibration and faster clamp/unclamp times.

Bar Feeding

Collet chucks are the preferred workholding method for most bar feeding applications. Aside from the previously outlined advantages related to small diameter turning, some additional benefits of using a collet chuck when bar feeding include reduced vibration and faster clamp/unclamp times. The 360-degree contact between the collet and workpiece again comes into play in bar feeding applications by ensuring that the barstock remains on centerline for concentric re-gripping after being advanced by the feeder.

Additional Advantages

Some additional advantages to using collet chucks include faster setup times and/or higher accuracies because there is no need to bore soft jaws in place; availability of standard collets for gripping round, square and hex-shaped stock; internal expanding collets for gripping on workpiece internal diameters; and bores as small as ¼ inch can be accommodated. Holding odd-shaped parts and performing off-center turning are among some of the more specialized applications that can be easily handled with custom collets.

Pullback Versus Dead-Length Operation

As its name implies, a pullback collet chuck operates by drawing a collet back into the chuck body. As the external taper on the collet makes contact with the internal taper of the chuck, the collet compresses to grip the workpiece. A downside of this simple design is that as the collet draws back, it often starts pulling the barstock or workpiece with it, resulting in variable Z-axis positioning. On first operation jobs, this part movement can usually be remedied with a simple facing cut, but may present more of a problem with secondary operation work or subspindle backworking operations where length features must be accurately controlled. 

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Royal Products’s dead-length collet chucks (branded as Accu-Length) have been designed to overcome the issue of part movement during the closing operation. With a dead-length chuck, the collet is fixed to the chuck body, and a tapered sleeve pushes forward over the collet to compress it. Because there is no axial movement of the collet with this design, workpiece positioning remains constant. As machine tools become more sophisticated with features such as live tooling, multiple spindles, multiple turrets and in-process gaging, there has been a shift in the market away from pullback-style chucks in favor of the more advanced dead-length model of collet chuck for both main and subspindle operations.    

Low-Profile CNC Collet Chucks

Royal’s low-profile CNC collet chucks are characterized by both a distinctive streamlined shape and their use of traditional spring-type collets. Collet choices include 5C, 16C, and 3J models, while the larger models use master collets that work in conjunction with S-type collet pads. 

With this type of workholding system, the collets have a limited range of a few thousandths of an inch, so it is important to closely match the collet bore to the workpiece size for optimal accuracy and grip force. Installing a spring-type collet into a low-profile chuck is accomplished by threading it into the chuck and engaging a key with the collet’s keyway. Low-profile chucks are available in both pullback and dead-length configurations. 

Quick-Change Collet Chucks

Most shops are dealing with short lot sizes across the production spectrum. The days of dedicating a machine to a single long run part are, for the most part, over. The capability for quickly changing over a machine from one job to the next is in high demand.

Workholding manufacturers, such as Royal, have developed quick-change collets (Royal brands its Quick-Grip) in response to this demand. These collet chucks are a relatively new innovation in the workholding market and offer a number of advantages over traditional collet chuck designs. (To read an article about the Quick-Grip collet, visit “Discovering the Benefits of Collet Chucks.”)

Another advantage offered by Royal’s quick-change system is the 1/16-inch gripping range of the collets.

One of the most functional features of this design has to do with the way the collet is installed. A special installation tool compresses the rear end of the collet so that it can be inserted into the chuck. Upon expansion, the collet locks into place via a hook and groove arrangement.   

Another advantage offered by Royal’s quick-change system is the 1/16-inch gripping range of the collets. This range is possible because of the fact that each segment of the quick-change collet is completely separated from the other segments by a vulcanized rubber spacer. With this design, all collet segments are installed at the same time.

This design allows for parallel gripping of the workpiece over the entire closing range, providing a significant advantage over spring-type collets where the segments begin to form an angle after being compressed by a few thousandths of an inch. The range and parallel grip of the system enables it to easily handle both oversized and undersized barstock, as well as over-the-shoulder gripping of pins, fasteners, and so on. 

One final advantage of the Quick-Grip collet chuck is its extremely short overall length. This provides maximum work zone usage, a benefit that is especially valuable on smaller machines with limited Z-axis capacity. The short length also improves rigidity by keeping the workpiece closer to the machine’s spindle bearings.   

Choosing the Right Collet Chuck

Choosing the right collet chuck begins by identifying the spindle nose of the machine on which the chuck will be mounted. All CNC lathe spindle noses follow international standards that clearly define the mounting interface dimensions. Common spindle nose configurations for the North American market include A2-6, A2-8, and 140 mm. 

The next step is to determine the chuck’s required capacity, based upon the size of the parts that need to be held. For bar feeding applications, it is customary to match, or slightly exceed, the machine’s drawtube bore size.

Once the spindle mount and required capacity have been identified, the selection can be further narrowed based on specific features and benefits of the various models, including pullback versus dead-length operation; external clearance dimensions; RPM capability; and setup time requirements.

When properly matched to a machine, bar feeder and application, CNC collet chucks provide an economical and effective way of holding material less than 4 inches in diameter. Because collet chucks are generally matched with a bar feeder, some of which have magazine storage and are designed to maintain consistent gripping force at high speeds, they are the workholding choice for lights-out operations. 

Collet chucks’ compact size improves tool clearance, maximizes Z-axis capacity and aids in rigidity. Readily available round, square, hex, internal expanding and emergency collets offer broad flexibility.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of China Collet Chuck. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.