Hey folks, I am sure I am doing something wrong here, but I can’t figure out what it is. When I install any 1/8" shank bit and tighten it down, it’s out of true. It doesn’t happen when I use 1/4" or 1/2" shank bits. If I insert the bit and tighten it down using just my hands, it’s nearly true, but when I tighten with the wrenches it throws it out by 1/32". Has anyone else had this issue? Any ideas as to what could be causing this? I’ve tried multiple bits (any bit types) in the same collet, tried inserting the bit to different depths, and I’ve made sure there was no sawdust impeding the clamping action of the collet. I’m miffed. Probably just me doing something silly… Thanks for any input!
Sounds like a problem with the collett. Might try buying a new one. Are you sure it is an 1/8" collett? You didn’t say what tool you were installing it on.
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Also I have purchased 1/8" shank bits only to discover they are 3MM
Pat
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@poppyscott I am installing it in one of the collets that came with my PWNCNC spindle. I haven’t tried a different collet yet; I’m really hoping that’s not the case, but you may be right and I’ll have to go that route if nothing else jumps out.
@PezWoodworks I’ll throw the calipers on the bits tonight. Two of them are from Bits and Bits, labeled as 1/8" shank. My experience with B&B has been great for years, so I’d be surprised if their bits were off, but maybe. The other three that I tried are from Spetool, which are cheaper but have all performed well when I’ve used their 1/4" and 1/2" shank bits. But I’ll take a gander this evening and see if they’re out dimensionally at all.
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Yes, I had this problem with my brand new REDLINE spindle. The problem was solved when I carefully and deliberately snapped the collet into the collet nut. It’s important that it snaps in. When properly done, you should be able to turn the nut upside down and shake it and the collet not fall out.
This is what solved my issue .
Mike
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Hi Mike, I did feel that snap in last night. I thought that was going to do it for me and got all excited haha. Unfortunately it didn’t resolve in my case, but I appreciate your input all the same!
I measured the bits and they are all 1/8" (3.18mm on the metric setting). Worth a look though. Cheers.
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I have had a bit that wasnt true and had a very slight wobble which made the bit prety much worthless. But doesn’t sound like thats your issue.
Hopefully you figure it out. Sounds maddening.
Also sounds to me like a collet issue. If the collet were 3mm, you would likely be able to insert the 1.8" bit, but it would be an initial tight fit, and would not tighten properly. But it does happen, I’ve had a couple of bad ER11 collets in the past that had unacceptable (actually visible) runout.
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Those cheap included collets and collet nuts are garbage. Don’t be tempted to buy the $20 set from amazon either, they are as bad or worse. Good quality ER20 collets are at least $30 each. A good quality PROPERLY balanced collet nut is about $80. The nut I got with my spindle has EIGHT corrections in it! EIGHT! How can it be made that far out in the first place? The collets I got with the spindle look like they were cut with a hacksaw. Some people might get lucky and get ones that are just fine. Many others will never realize how bad the ones they use really are. Most cars will perform for most people just fine for many years even with horrible tires on it. It all depends on your own personal standards.
I predict that when people start receiving their Fisher Price tool changers, many will buy the cheap sets of collets from amazon and this quality issue will become more prevalent.
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You probably have a bad collet, they are mass produced, we have gotten bad ones here at work straight out of the box, if it is snapped into place correctly and it is doing that and all the others are true, it’s the collet. I can’t think of anything else it could be.
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yup yup, I buy mine from a tool house down the road from my job. the ones that come with the spindles are junk, I already replaced mine.
most people don’t understand you cant get a good set for $19.99 (just making up a number here). They may get lucky and receive a good set, but they wont be correct for a long period.
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Maddening indeed. I’m trying to drill holes for a cribbage board and each test piece I run ends up with them too wide. Glad I ran the test piece!
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Alright gents, well I guess I’m off to buy a new collet. Thanks for all the input, and for steering me away from the cheap collets. That’s likely what I was going to buy, but no longer. I greatly appreciate y’all’s insight!
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no problem, glad to help. Yes the tale tale sign was that your other tools in other collets were running true in the same spindle. only runs out with that size. It’s the collet. Thats how we double check in a machine shop. if a tool is running out, we change the collet and check again. if it is still running out, then we start checking collet extensions. which we don’t have those for the 1F spindle, or the clearance to use one.
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Good info to have. I’m no machinist, just a woodworker leveraging the CNC for efficiency. And I’m still learning, so this is just part of the process. I placed an order for one today so fingers crossed it runs true. Cheers.
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If you got it from PWNCNC I am sure he would replace it, I have purchased many from them as well as the collet nuts, all have been near perfect, less then .0005 runout, I don’t need to spend $30.00 for a collet when the $8.00 ones work for me , I think you having a bad one is very rare, some of the really cheap sets on Amazon are not with the shipping cost but pWN collets are good for me.
Pat
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Countdown to post edit. 10, 9, 8…
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Did you snap the collet into the collet nut before inserting the bit into the collet? These ER collets need to be pushed into the nut and then added to spindle.