Collet Handle

[woodpig]

New collet handle I made the other day.

 

[Dalboy]

What collet is it. Good job on the handle not so keen on the colour.

 

[woodpig]

It's an ER20 collet chuck, specifically C16 ER20 100L. Only about 7 or 8 quid on eBay.

 

[TFrench]

Looks like a great way of doing it. How did you secure it into the handle? epoxy?

 

[woodpig]

Its actually a tight push fit at the moment but I'll glue it in if it moves.

 

[bobajobob]

Very smart tool WP. Coloured handles are going to proliferate now.

atb Bob

 

[Robbo3]

Very Martin Saban-Smith.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd0pxn0Nrxk#t=4m25s

Mine just has shrink tube over the shaft to make it warmer to handle.

(stock photo, not mine)

 

[woodpig]

I made some alloy ones some time ago with plastic covers but thought I'd try a more traditional material for my latest handle.

 

[skipdiver]

What are they used for?

 

[selectortone]

Beautiful work as always Vic!

 

[Robbo3]

What are they used for?

Collets are mainly used in engineering to hold round bar. They have better grip than chuck jaws & are very accurate.

I use mine to hold home made tools or buy unhandled tools. HSS tools tend to be made from 6mm, 9mm & 13mm round bar so by changing the collett in the handle, different size tools can be used.
Collets are about £5 - £8 each & you need the correct size for the material in use.
- http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Engi ... m_113.html
A set of ER20 collets covering a range of 1-13mm is £50 from Chronos
- http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Spec ... llets.html

There are several proprietary brands of interchangeable handles on the market that use a split nylon collet.

 

[skipdiver]

Thanks Robbo.

 

[woodpig]

I've been using mine for home made tools but they can be used for unhandeled gouges etc. The collets are currently only about £1.95 each for ER20 or ER25 on eBay.

Most of my home made tools have 12mm shanks so I've been boring out the spindle of the chuck to accommodate them as the through hole is normally only 10mm. The steel is quite tough though so I've been using an extended glass drill to open up the hole.

 

[Robbo3]

If you are a doofer like me, nothing is ever easy.

Bought dowel is notorious for not being round & finding the centre is quite an art especially if the dowel is already close to finish size.
Watch a pro chuck a piece of wood, give it a tap & it runs concentric.
I get it right on about the 99th try.
This is when a collet really proves its worth.

And to answer the question, why use bought dowel?
• It's normally ramin - a tropical hardwood
• Longer lengths

Of course there is the Brendan Stemp method
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c55CIFJjooI