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- Jun 12, 2014
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- 4,818
I would look at the size range of end mills, etc. that you plan on using to determine the size of ER chuck you want to use. Since I have an R-8 collet system on my mill, I use an ER-40 collet set for 7/8" and 1" end mills, but on my last mill I prefered day to day useing the ER-32. If you are just going up to 3/4" shanks for general machining of smaller size endmills I would suggest an ER-32 because the chuck is much smaller and a bit easier with regard to tightening the collet down.
If you are using this only for milling with end mills, most end mills come with fixed shank sizes, so you really only need a 1/8" increment set, possible 1/16". DO NOT GET A METRIC SET if you are predominately using it for imperial sized end mills. The 1 mm compressability is possible, but I can say from my own experience and that of others that in practice the TIR suffers when pushed to their limits. It also depends on the type/brand of ER collets you buy. I have several precision ER collets that are for a fixed size end mill/indicator with a narrow +/- window.
Brand wise, I would recommend Techniks first as a high quality mid price collet. Well worth it, although ER collets tend to have tighter specs/TIR than say R-8. So you can do OK with some of the lesser brands. Also sometimes you can pick up an Iscar or other higher end set on eBay occasionally reasonably priced. My ER-32 set is Iscar, my ER-40 is Z-Live which are also very decent, but I would have purchased a Techniks set if it was afforable. My ER-40 system is predominately for my lathe, and I use a 1/32 set to get a full clamping range fo odd size stock. If the mill only I would get the Techniks 1/16" set and be done with it.
https://zlivecenter.com
By a decent ER chuck and consider a better nut, either ball bearing like from Metaltech, TECHNIKS 41932 ER32 Power Coat Hex Nut, there are several others. I have ER chucks from Iscar, Showa, and the nickle plate precision ones from Shar's and they all measure under 0.0001" TIR.
If you are using this only for milling with end mills, most end mills come with fixed shank sizes, so you really only need a 1/8" increment set, possible 1/16". DO NOT GET A METRIC SET if you are predominately using it for imperial sized end mills. The 1 mm compressability is possible, but I can say from my own experience and that of others that in practice the TIR suffers when pushed to their limits. It also depends on the type/brand of ER collets you buy. I have several precision ER collets that are for a fixed size end mill/indicator with a narrow +/- window.
Brand wise, I would recommend Techniks first as a high quality mid price collet. Well worth it, although ER collets tend to have tighter specs/TIR than say R-8. So you can do OK with some of the lesser brands. Also sometimes you can pick up an Iscar or other higher end set on eBay occasionally reasonably priced. My ER-32 set is Iscar, my ER-40 is Z-Live which are also very decent, but I would have purchased a Techniks set if it was afforable. My ER-40 system is predominately for my lathe, and I use a 1/32 set to get a full clamping range fo odd size stock. If the mill only I would get the Techniks 1/16" set and be done with it.
https://zlivecenter.com
By a decent ER chuck and consider a better nut, either ball bearing like from Metaltech, TECHNIKS 41932 ER32 Power Coat Hex Nut, there are several others. I have ER chucks from Iscar, Showa, and the nickle plate precision ones from Shar's and they all measure under 0.0001" TIR.
