5C Collets available from Rovi Products

What is a 5C Emergency Collet?

Hardinge 3J Emergency Collets

In machining and tool-holding industries, collets are essential devices used to securely grip or hold various workpieces. Among various types, the 5C emergency collet is a versatile and valuable tool, often used in lathes and other machining equipment for its ability to quickly and reliably secure workpieces of different shapes and sizes. 

  1. 5C emergency collet differs from a standard collet in a few significant ways. The term “emergency” refers to its adaptability in urgent or last-minute situations, where a machinist may need to grip a workpiece with a custom diameter or shape. Unlike standard collets, which are typically designed to hold specific sizes and shapes, emergency collets are made from softer materials (like mild steel or aluminum) and are sold with solid, unbored faces.This design allows the machinist to modify the collet on the spot, drilling or machining it to fit the exact dimensions or unique shapes of non-standard workpieces. In other words, an emergency collet can be customized in real-time to hold an unusual or irregularly sized part securely.

Key Features of a 5C Emergency Collet

  1. Made for Customization: Typically made from softer metals, emergency collets can be easily machined to meet precise requirements, making them perfect for holding custom-shaped parts or sizes.
  2. Quick Setup for Unique Parts: Emergency collets eliminate the lead time required to purchase a pre-sized collet for an uncommon diameter. A machinist can simply machine the emergency collet to the desired size as needed.
  3. Wide Compatibility: As a part of the 5C standard, emergency collets are compatible with a wide range of lathes and chucks, making them accessible and easy to integrate into existing setups.

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Hardinge 5C Brass Collets

5C Brass Emergency Collets:


Gentle Grip on Delicate Parts: Brass is softer than steel, which means it’s less likely to damage delicate workpieces or leave marks. This is crucial for high-quality work on softer materials or parts with polished or finished surfaces that must remain unmarred. Brass collets are also less likely to create burrs or dents on parts, making them ideal for applications where maintaining the aesthetic or functional quality of a surface is essential.


Reduced Galling and Wear: When working with stainless steel or other metals prone to galling (material transfer and wear), a brass collet reduces friction between the workpiece and the collet. This not only preserves the surface of the workpiece but also extends the lifespan of the collet by preventing metal-on-metal wear.

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5C Brass Emergency Collets

Hardinge 5C Hard Collets Round

5C Hard Collets:


A 5C hard collet is a specific type of collet made from hardened steel, designed for long-lasting durability and precision in demanding machining tasks. The “5C” designation refers to the standardized dimensions of the collet, making it compatible with various lathes, collet chucks, and workholding devices. Unlike soft collets or emergency collets, which are often made from materials like brass or mild steel and can be machined to fit custom shapes, 5C hard collets are manufactured to hold specific diameters or shapes and are hardened to withstand high-stress environments without deformation or wear.

Key Features of 5C Hard Collets

  1. Hardened Steel Construction: Made from hardened and ground steel, 5C hard collets are built to handle high forces and resist wear. This makes them ideal for holding tough materials and performing repeated tasks without losing precision.
  2. Precision Fit: These collets are ground to exacting tolerances, ensuring a tight and uniform grip on workpieces. This precision is crucial in high-tolerance machining, where even slight movement of the workpiece could result in quality defects.
  3. Wide Compatibility: As part of the 5C standard, these collets fit a wide variety of 5C-compatible lathes and chucks. The 5C system is popular for a range of workholding applications, especially in smaller to medium-sized machining setups.
  4. Multiple Configurations: 5C hard collets are available in different styles to suit specific applications, including round, square, hexagonal, and even stepped variations for holding parts of varying shapes and sizes.

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5C Hard Collets

Rovi 5C Oversize Od Collets

5C Oversized Collets:

5C oversized collets are a practical and cost-effective solution for machinists who need to hold larger workpieces on standard 5C-compatible equipment. By extending the diameter range of the 5C system, These collets allow shops to handle a wider variety of parts without changing their entire workholding setup. Offering ease of setup, reliable precision, and compatibility with 5C accessories, 5C oversized collets are ideal for light-to-medium-duty machining tasks, particularly in prototyping, custom work, and production environments.

For shops that regularly encounter larger-than-standard parts, 5C oversized collets provide an efficient, adaptable, and budget-friendly workholding option that maximizes the utility of existing 5C equipment.

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5C Oversized Collets

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5C Hardinge Step Chucks:


A Hardinge 5C Step Chuck is an oversized collet used in conjunction with a Hardinge Closing Ring. These step chucks are available from 2”- 6” diameter in either an emergency style (you bore the collet to size) or in a hardened & ground style (the step chuck is hardened and ground to your specific size).

A typical 5C collet closes on the taper of the collet which is located behind the work head. The 5C Step Chuck does not have this taper, but instead has a taper on the larger diameter of the collet head. A Step Chuck Closing ring is required (Hardinge threaded or tapered style). The closing ring has the matching taper of the collet head on the inside bore of the ring. When the collet is closed, it’s fully encapsulated, eliminating the possibility of the collet from opening up with high rpm turning and having the part come flying out. In addition, by holding the part more securely, you will see the benefits of both a better finish and a more concentric part!

Hardinge does offer the 5C closing angle on the Emergency Regular Depth Step Chucks for the 2” and 3” step chucks, but 4”-6” Step Chucks do not come standard with the 5C closing angle.  They are available with the 5C closing angle, but the cost is about 30% more than the ones without that angle.

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5C Hardinge Step Chucks

Hardinge 16C Dead Length Collets

5C Dead Length Collets:


A Hardinge 5C dead length collet is a specialized workholding device that, unlike standard collets, prevents axial movement of the workpiece during the clamping process. In typical collet systems, the workpiece may move slightly as the collet is tightened, which can lead to changes in the length position, known as “pull-back.” The dead length collet design keeps the part stationary, ensuring consistent length and position throughout the machining process.
Hardinge, a leading manufacturer of high-precision collets and workholding solutions, developed this type of collet to address the challenges of precision work where length control is critical. The 5C designation means these collets fit standard 5C-compatible lathes and fixtures, making them a convenient option for machinists working on parts that require tight tolerance and stability.

Key Features of 5C Dead Length Collets

  1. Dead Length Design: The primary feature of these collets is the dead length mechanism, which holds the workpiece in a fixed position without the pull-back effect. This ensures consistent and accurate length positioning, reducing setup errors and maintaining part integrity.
  2. Fixed Length Holding: Hardinge dead length collets have a design that allows the collet nose and the workpiece to stay in place as the collet closes. This means there’s no axial movement, which is essential when working with parts that have critical length tolerances.
  3. Hardened and Ground Steel: Made from high-quality, hardened steel, Hardinge dead length collets are built to withstand heavy use and deliver exceptional durability, even in demanding machining environments.
  4. Precision Fit and Stability: These collets are manufactured to exacting tolerances, providing a tight and stable grip on the workpiece. This precision fit helps maintain stability during machining, enhancing overall accuracy and surface finish.
  5. Compatibility with 5C Equipment: Hardinge 5C dead length collets are compatible with standard 5C collet chucks and fixtures, allowing easy integration into existing setups.

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5C Dead Length Collets

5C Blank Fixture Plate

What is a 5C Blank Fixture Plate?

A 5C blank fixture plate is essentially a plain, flat plate made from durable materials like steel or aluminum that fits with 5C-compatible equipment, such as collet chucks and collet fixtures. Since it lacks pre-drilled holes or mounting features, machinists can machine the plate to accommodate specific parts or workholding needs. This is useful when working with unusual part geometries, custom projects, or complex workholding setups that standard fixture plates may not support.

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5C Blank Fixture Plate

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