Recommendation on collets.

Tienle

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I need to get a set of collet about size 20 and up for my 8mm Boley lathe. What are your recommendations for them. Are they standard and interchangeable between maker or I will need specifically the one for Boley?Thanks
 
Hello @Tienle,

First, Welcome to the Hobby-Machinist!

Second, I am not sure what you mean by "size 20". Is that 20mm, ER-20 or something else?
Actually, I'm not sure what you meant by "8mm Boley lathe" either. Typically lathe sizes are given as "biggest diameter you can swing over the ways" x biggest length between centres". Like a Southbend 9"x36", could theoretically turn a workpiece of 9 inch diameter by 36 inches long.

Does your Boley lathe have a 8mm threaded spindle?
Does it have a tapered hole thru the spindle?
The more info you can give the more help we can provide.

For some background on lathe collets have a look around here.
These threads show a number of collet types:
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/is-there-a-definitive-article-on-collets.36227/
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/need-advice-about-lathe-collets.59971/#post-494287
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/collet-sizes.38362/#post-328701

If you're unsure what I mean, please post back.
We will figure this out and give you all the help we can.
-brino
 
Sorry for not clear. I thought 8mm or 6mm are common term for watchmaker lathe. I often see these collets sold on eBay with number from 1 to 60.
 
I thought 8mm or 6mm are common term for watchmaker lathe.

Maybe it is just me unfamiliar with those terms.
Is it one of the models I linked to on lathes.co.uk?
Can you provide any pictures?

-brino
 
I have an 8mm Derbyshire, WW-pattern lathe and in my experience, it's a bit of a crap shoot as to whether collets from other makers fit or not. The length of the collet, the size of the keyway, and the thread pitch and tolerances of the threads all factor into whether or not they will fit. Some collets from other makers fit just fine and others don't. Conversely, I have one of those little after-market accessories to hold a collet in the tailstock and none of my genuine Derbyshire collets fit it, but collets from other makers usually do. Do your Levin collets fit your Boley lathe?
 
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I have an 8mm Derbyshire, WW-pattern lathe and in my experience, it's a bit of a crap shoot as to whether collets from other makers fit or not. The length of the collet, the size of the keyway, and the thread pitch and tolerances of the threads all factor into whether or not they will fit. Some collets from other makers fit just fine and others don't. Conversely, I have one of those little after-market accessories to hold a collet in the tailstock and none of my genuine Derbyshire collets fit it, but collets from other makers usually do. Do your Levin collets fit your Boley lathe?
I didn’t have any collet for the levin yet but I just bough 12 assorted collets. Only 3 fit to the non-Levin drawbar. Now I know for sure they are different.
 
Hi @Tienle ,

I guess the name "Boley" must have stuck in my head from this thread. I just happened to notice today that same name on a block of collets at my local used tool store. See photos below.

I have no idea if those are good prices or not...but our Canadian dollar is lower than your dollar.
If you're interested let me know either thru this thread or a private message by hitting "start conversation" on my members page. I will be back to that store on the weekend and could buy what you want and ship them along to you. I don't want to make any money off it, just pay my costs (parts plus shipping).

I would need to know:
1) how to tell the Boley from the Levin/Derbyshire/other collets,
2) what size collets you are after, and
3) what condition you want.

-brino

20180307_164849.jpg

20180307_164843.jpg
 
Hi Brino,
I really appreciate your offer to help. For now I have to sort out what I have and what I need. I guess the problem may come from the incorrect drawbar. I just bought a precision chuck with 8mm spindle. It works for me now. I will figure out what collets I need later. Thanks again for your offer to help.

C875703A-E30C-4A0D-9258-BF7799322206.jpeg
 
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