Collet Chuck From eBay Parts!

This episode on Blondihacks, I'm cobbling together an ER collet chuck from eBay bits! Exclusive videos, drawings, models & plans available on Patreon!

Here are links for many of the tools that you see me using:
(I earn small commissions on these links)

Want more content like this? Try these places:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

[Blondihacks]

This week’s popular “Why Didn’t You Just” comment is, why didn’t I buy 5/8-11 threaded rod as use that? Because:

1) I wanted something nicer than that

2) I like to make things. Which is, you know, the whole point of this whole thing.

[ThisOldTony]

nice work! collet chucks are very handy. I'd suggest trying to index it around in your spindle nose... i bet you'll find a position of least error. mark both parts for future reference. also check the squareness of your matings faces and the end (back) of your spindle.

[mhagnew]

I bought an ER32 collet closer off of AliExpress a few years back. It worked ok but had excessive runout. I recently splurged on a Taiwanese one (Ann-Way, I think). Much better, negligible runout. Mine is swapped between my mill and my lathe, and when holding a cutting tool in the mill, the cheaper holder was only cutting on one flute due to the runout.
I just use a piece of threaded rod with a handwheel on the end as a drawbar, because I'm a heathen. I turned an aluminium collar the ID of the spindle bore and have it double-nutted partway down so the rod can't whip around. I'm not a fan of transmitting shock loads through the headstock bearings, so I cut a piece of PVC pipe and milled a couple of slots in it. This slips over the body of the chuck, and you close the nut against it, holding the chuck from turning using the spanner through the milled slots. Pops right out of the taper like Yahtzee.

[nefariousyawn]

I was really drawn into this project. Chuck this video into your top ten, and collet a winner. That's all I got.

[jimsvideos]

Flat bottom holes, you make the rockin' world go 'round.

[dancalhoun]

It is amazing I've had a mill and a lathe for some 25 years now, but I still learn something every day. Thank you for excellent videos Quinn.

[lesstoneuk]

Just a suggestion. Go check your runout on the collet chuck again, then mark the position with a sharpie. Loosen the chuck and twist it 90°. See if the runout improves.

[RonCovell]

Another great video, Quinn. I especially enjoyed the 'Sparkle Spanner'!

[brainsironically]

Thank you for the censorship at 7:40!
My mind goes straight to the gutter when watching machining vids!
:)

[ethanmye-rs]

Not sure what kind of carbide you're using, but a polished pcd insert for aluminum gets me absurdly good finishes in steel on a 7x14 lathe. They're cheap for what you get, around $5 a piece from eBay. It's ground super sharp which makes it easy to take accurate final passes on wet noodle machines.

Likewise, ground inserts for aluminum give excellent finishes as well.

[alexanderreid]

Hi Quinn, I find your videos brilliant, your attention to detail and your explanations without taking a breath are 10 out of 10 and easy to understand, gives an old bloke like me confidence in attempting more jobs on my lathe, thank you, Cheers Al.

[isaiahcampbell]

I like how you are down to earth and show some of the older methods. I hit hard times about a year ago and my dreams of a shop were put on hold. Now I'm currently hand fitting hardware store parts and 3d printed components to make a crank driven watchmakers lathe from one of those "modular Chinese lathe/mill/grinder/car buffer/can opener combos". Anyway, you show how you can use skill and patience to solve problems other people I have seen throw money at and go "eh, good enough".

[davidangelo]

Hi Quinn, I had a similar chatter problem when trying to turn down a long steel shaft using a live center. I switched to a dead center and that solved the problem. My live center was a "high quality" Bison live center, so I was surprised but very glad to solve the problem so easily.

[Mr.Donahue]

All that work you did on that steady rest payed off.

[Tool-Meister]

So refreshing. A machinist who know her stuff and is awesomely articulate! I’ve been using ER collets in sizes 16, 32, 40 for many years and they are my go-to holders, even for drilling, tailstock tool holding, etc.. My Jacobs Chuck suffered from isolation and being ignored... I fabricated a drawbar and adapter for my MT5 spindle (~40 year old Maximat Super 11). And, yes, they are used in my Emco jr.-sized MT2 mill too using their standard MT2 holders.

I’ve also brought a trick over from my wood lathe I fabricated both follow and steady rests from in-line skate wheels. Eliminates the problems when following or supporting unfinished materials yet nicely controls chatter. Sorry I can’t provide photos but everything is packed for an upcoming and very traumatic move...

[cameronmccreary]

For this type of work I start with centerless ground stock and then put the follower rest onto the ground stock, that way, I have absolutely no chatter and do a nice thread on the end.

[m.m.]

I just bought some of these for my brand-new G0704 and surprisingly they are accurate!!! I couldnt believe how well they are made to be honest...

[benjaminshaw]

I don’t know how you have lived this long with out one! They are awesome. I get grumpy when I have to put a chuck on my lathe.

[ClownWhisper]

I made an er32 chuck in about 3 hours for my logan. It helps to have a threaded spindle nose. and it really helps to have a toolpost grinder. I had ZERO measurable run-out.

[glenn_r_frank_author]

I am a total noob beginner on the lathe. My Dad gave me an old hobby lathe to mess around with. Most of the things on your videos are well beyond me at this point, but I love watching what you are building and how you do the different operations... something mesmerizing about it. Thanks for the great videos! Love the humor you pop in there too! Bye by mild garbage steel... ;-)