Collet Chuck Shop Talk

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What is a Collet Chuck?

  A hydraulic collet chuck is a type of workholding device used in machining operations, particularly in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining. It is designed to securely hold and clamp a workpiece in place during machining processes, providing stability and accuracy. The hydraulic collet chuck consists of three main components: the chuck body, the collet, and the hydraulic actuator. The

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Collet Chuck – General information

  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

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Is your Collet Chuck Worn Out?

My customer, Michael, called the other day regarding an issue with runout of a collet on a lathe.  He explained to me that he was using an expanding collet on a pullback style collet chuck, but was unable to get the collet to run true.  After going over all the steps on how to properly machine the expanding collet (Which

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5C Collet Chuck vs. a 16C or a 3J Collet Chuck

Here’s the advantages of a 5C Collet Chuck vs. a 16C or a 3J: The through hole capacity of a 5C collet chuck is 1-1/16”, whereas a 16C is 1-5/8” and a 3J is 1-3/4”. Now, this may sound like the 16C and 3J may be a better choice due to the larger through hole, but these chucks do not

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S-Style Collet chucks

The style-S master collet, although originally designed for multi-spindle automatic screw machines, has been adapted for CNC lathes. This style collet chuck uses collet pads. These pads can be changed much quicker than a standard collet, the cost is lower, and the pads require much less storage space. Standard S-pads from Hardinge are hardened and ground for a long life. Semi-hard

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What is the difference between a 3J and 16C collet chuck?

16C and 3J Collet Chucks are very similar.  The 3J Collet Chuck has a through hole capacity up to 1.750”, versus the 1.625” for a 16C Collet Chuck. The real difference lies in the oversize collets; what Hardinge calls “Step Chucks.” Hardinge manufactures 16C step chucks that can be purchased from 2” – 6” in diameter by 1” increments. They

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CNC Collet Chucks and Expanding Collets

I come across this question a lot:  Can you use an Expanding Collet in a True Length or Dead Length Style Collet chuck? The answer to this question is a resounding NO!! The reason being is that Rovi and other Manufacturers of Expanding Collets use a screw that is mounted in the front of the expanding collet. This screw is

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Quick-Grip™ Accu-Length™ CNC Collet Chuck

The Quick-Grip™ Accu-Length™ CNC Collet Chuck Advantages: 10-Second Collet Changes Widest Collet Gripping Range (.062″) Extremely Accurate – 0.0002″ TIR Parallel Workpiece Gripping Multiple Styles: – Standard – Compact – Ultra-Compact Click here to Learn More about Royal Quick-Grip™ Collet Chucks, Collets & Accessories

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