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  1. #1
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    Default Chinese collets sets? Are they any good???

    I would like to buy myself an ER32 collet chuck and a set of collets. There seems to be plenty of Chinese sets for sale on ebay at pretty reasonable cost but... the big question is, are they any good???
    Or am I wasting my money?
    I've got a 9" Hercus and think this would make a good addition to my tooling.

    Thanks in advance.
    Mark F.

  2. #2
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    They're probably as good as any other chinese collet set.
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Hi Mark,

    A typical ebay price from someone that most likely has no clue what they are selling, for an ER32 chuck and spanner is ~$27. For the same price I'd prefer to purchase a chuck from someone like CTC tools

    The CTC ER32 10 piece metric collet sets are $82 while on ebay a similar set can be had for <$60. I'd still rather get the CTC set.

    The killer with CTC is the shipping but even then (given what went on in this thread //metalworkforums.com/f65/t2021...nout-er-collet) I'd still much rather get something first up from some one other than a nobody on ebay.

    Once you have a decent set of collets that you can trust then it's less of an issue to experiment with the anonymous ebay gear. I bought an ER16 set from CTC and then bought a couple of cheap 12 mm diameter straight shanked chucks on ebay. I cut the shank on one down to a size to fit into a 12mm MT collet (no chuck) to use on the mill and it worked to OK.

    Oh yeah and ebay also has GST - don't think CTC is doing this yet.

    Must get up to look at your late some time - my knee is still crook - still can't walk far or stand up for too long
    Cheers
    Bob

  4. #4
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    Default

    Thanks Bob. Interesting reading in that link.
    Looks like the Chinese jobs are a bit of a lucky dip.
    Some claim to have no problems with even the cheapest ebay collets.
    I was thinking about getting an MT2 that I can use in the head stock with an MT2/3 adapter and also be able to use it in the tail stock.
    Or maybe I should just get an MT3 and forget about using it in the tail stock?

    Mark.

  5. #5
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    I have bought quite a few off eBay and it is definitely a mixed bag. Even in the same 'batch' from the same seller the quality varies. Having said that, it depends on your need for accuracy. Given the price, the run out is surprisingly reasonable, but you can get a dud.
    I also favour CTC for quality, but as mentioned, the postage is a bit eye watering! I haven't had a bad experience with them, but I note others on this forum have not been so lucky.
    I recently purchased some square 5C collets from a seller in the US via eBay - should be ok quality, you'd reckon, esp for the price, but not so. The threads were all undersized and slipped when the draw tube (a proper industrial quality one) was pulled up. I emailed them with the measurements of their collets (and reference to the standards) and they refunded my money - which is nice, but what I really wanted was a set of useful collets!
    Long answer, sorry...I think it is worth the gamble, esp for the hobby machinist, but check them when they arrive and keep a note of the run out for reference. Bin the odd dud, and buy another one. Or, if you going to make your living from machining, spend the money and buy quality.
    Cheers, Tony

    Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark F View Post
    I was thinking about getting an MT2 that I can use in the head stock with an MT2/3 adapter and also be able to use it in the tail stock.
    Or maybe I should just get an MT3 and forget about using it in the tail stock?
    Unless you buy high quality MT adaptersI would avoid using them.
    If you want/need an MT2 collet chuck just buy another chuck.

    Another thread to look at is this one
    //metalworkforums.com/f65/t2021...outs-machinery

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Silversprings View Post
    I also favour CTC for quality, but as mentioned, the postage is a bit eye watering! I haven't had a bad experience with them, but I note others on this forum have not been so lucky.
    Long answer, sorry...I think it is worth the gamble, esp for the hobby machinist, but check them when they arrive and keep a note of the run out for reference. Bin the odd dud, and buy another one. Or, if you going to make your living from machining, spend the money and buy quality.
    Cheers, Tony

    Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
    This is my thinking Tony. I am only a hobbyist. Not trying to make a living with these things.
    I think they are probably all made in China these days anyway. Although the CTC ones may be better, it seems even that may be a bit of a lottery.

    I think I may roll the dice and see how I go.

    Thanks for the reply.

    Mark

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Unless you buy high quality MT adaptersI would avoid using them.
    If you want/need an MT2 collet chuck just buy another chuck.

    Another thread to look at is this one
    //metalworkforums.com/f65/t2021...outs-machinery
    That was my thinking also Bob. I did get an adapter with the lathe when I bought it. Toolmaster I think - Hare and Forbes. Not sure how accurate it is. I've never used it.

    When you are more mobile give me a buz and come see my lathe.

    Mark.

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