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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Eastern Suburbs Melbourne
    Posts
    218

    Default Holders for milling cutters

    I have a mini mill which has an 3 Morse taper in the spindle. I also have an E32 Collet chuck with 3 collets that accomodate 3 sizes of milling cutters. Over the years I've picked up second hand milling cutters from flea markets etc. Some have screwed shanks, some plain shanks. My question is what is the most economical way to go to use these collets? How would they go in a drill chuck? The cutters I have would used be sparingly so I prefer not to go and spend $30 each for a collet that I wouldn't use all that much.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Cairns, Q
    Posts
    666

    Default

    Tiger,

    Although it is often done, holding end mills in a drill chuck is not a particularly good idea - many drill chucks do not run very true, and unlike drills, the end mill shanks are quite hard. This allows them to slip in the drill chuck, and can sometimes lead to damage to the chuck jaws.

    For occasional use it is probably better to make end mill holders for your odd sized end mills. Turn a parallel shank on each holder to fit your biggest ER collet, bore a hole the correct size for the end mill shank in the other end, and tap a hole for a grub screw to lock the endmill shank in place. Keep them as short as possible to minimise overhang from the mill spindle. Some of your end mills will probably already have a flat ground on them for this purpose. The threaded or plain shank ones will need a flat ground on the shank for the retaining screw to provide a positive drive.

    End mill holders like this are available commercially, but shop made mild steel ones are quite OK for occasional use..

    Frank.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    home
    Posts
    621

    Default

    Tiger,

    I bought a set of ER25 collets and a MT3 holder for my mini mill from this eBay seller.
    At current prices, you'll pay less than $50 for the 15 collects and about $35 for the holder which is a lot less than I payed earlier this year.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Eastern Suburbs Melbourne
    Posts
    218

    Default

    Thanks, Frank and Geoff.

    Frank, my largest collet will accomodate 12mm but I like your idea.

    Geoff, I've thought about the ER25, do you know how it compares with the ER32?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    home
    Posts
    621

    Default

    Tiger,
    The ER25 size was recommended to me as being the biggest I'd need on the X2. The maximum endmill capacity of the X2 is listed as 16mm so anything larger seemed to be a waste.
    While the seller I listed does sell ER32 collets, they don't have an MT3 ER32 collet holder.

    Edit: Actually the listed eBay seller does have an MT3 ER32 collet holder, it's just not listed on their AU site.
    Last edited by snowyskiesau; 11th Oct 2009 at 02:19 PM. Reason: New information

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