5" 5C collet chuck recommendation

B

Bill Kahn

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I am a beginner weekend hobbyist. Have been working to tolerances of like .005", but am not at .002". I have a PM1030V lathe (and a PM25 mill).

I have just ordered a set of 5C collets from PM. And want to order a collet chuck plain back for the lathe (I have the backing plate).

I see prices ranging from $130 ( https://www.amazon.com/iMeshbean-Co...id=1547686094&sr=8-5&keywords=5c+collet+chuck ) to $500+ ( https://www.travers.com/5c-collet-chuck-adapter-plates/p/80181/ ). I imagine something can be so cheap at to have way too much TIR. But also I don't need a Bison with .0004".

Can anyone suggest a specific brand/model number that is a a step above lousy? I think .001" TIR would be fine for my needs.

Climbing the cost ladder...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BOSTAR-Pla...h=item418a752ec1:g:qdgAAOSwEqVcMgmS:rk:6:pf:0

https://www.amazon.com/LLDSIMEX-126...id=1547686094&sr=8-7&keywords=5c+collet+chuck

https://www.amazon.com/AccusizeTools-Collet-Chuck-Machine-0269-0010/dp/B00U320MZ8?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2

I do know this matters as I got some super cheap drill chucks--which visually look fine, but have terrible run out.

Thanks.

-Bill
 
When you get it mounted up on your backplate you should have 0 TIR runout with any of them. That's the idea behind a plain back chuck.
 
Penn tool co. sells a toolmex 5c collet chuck for $412.11 and a d1-4 back made by toolmex for $85.00. These are made in poland to a high quality.
don't think you'll find a better price.
 
I went through four 5C chucks to get to the one I have now. The first two were the generic Chinese direct mount D1-4's, both got returned because of significantly bad TIR (~0.007). I then got a a set-true type Chinese 5C chuck from LatheMaster (they no longer are available), these had better TIR (it was adjustable), so that was better. The back plate needed to be skimmed and part of the chuck body turned because the outer diameter was not concentrically turned with the 5 C collet mounting surfaces, it also took forever to wind in a collet. I ended up with the Bision (now Toolmex or TMX) Set-Tru, which is a great 5C chuck and has a price to match. Shar's had a fine adjustable (Set-Tru(e) style) 5C chuck (202-5300) which I would have recommended, but I no longer see any 5C chucks listed on their website. Maybe they had so many chucks returned they stopped carrying them, but I would call and ask. It is reasonably priced and you can fine adjust the alignment.

I do not recommend Amazon for these types of purchases, primarily because you often get what others returned for probably quality issues. Read the reviews for the Accusize Tools 5C chucks (see all reviews), reviews are split as to love it or hate it. Wish I could be more positive, but my first two 5C chucks were returned for significant QC issues. Bostar has a lot of positive reviews (like 100%), so maybe worth a try, they have an any time return policy if there is a defect. Probably recommend going with a plain back 5C collet and turning a back plate. If you have a significant TIR issue you can always turn the register down a few thousandth and do the tap and tighten method to get it inline. I will make the assumption that hopefully the chuck body/back is concentric with the 5C collet mounting surfaces. The 5C collets also have a bit more runout then say an ER-40 system, which you may also consider. Still, I prefer the 5C for small stock and also very short stock which the ER system is less than ideal.
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/shars-5-er40-zero-set-fine-adjustment-collet-chuck.66421/
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/collet-chuck-for-pm1030v-lathe.74917/#post-628637

If you are looking for 5C collets, I would check out CDCO Machinery which has them at reasonable prices, I know a number of individuals that purchased there 1/64th increment sets and were satisfied with the quality, Shar's 5C coolet set may also be a consideration. Reviews of CDCO Machinery are mixed, basically they say they are just a distributor and do not check anything at the warehouse. I ordered an ER-40 D1-4 chuck from them once, and it had terrible runout so it was returned. If going with an ER system, then it may be worth getting a good collet set from Teckniks.
http://www.cdcotools.com/

Unfortunately we are in an era were cheap is cheap, and QC is pretty nil at this product level. You would think that a lot of the profit margin would be eaten up by returns and shipping costs, but there are enough buyers to offset these costs.
 
When I was looking around, PM had the Bison plain back 5c chucks at a very reasonable price. Give Matt a call and ask—the chucks weren't listed on his website when I was looking.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
I have the Bostar one but with a D1-4 back and I ordered it straight from CDCO. It has nearly zero run out. Pleasantly surprised.
 
Rather than buy a collet chuck why not make one? I built one like this several years ago.

http://www.statecollegecentral.com/metallathe/MLA21.html

You can either buy just the plans, or the entire kit. The kit has a set of basic castings that have to be machined to size. It also includes prints and the necessary hardware.

The TIR on mine is .0002. You can make it as accurate as your machine and skills will allow. The reason I built this one was the fact that I wanted to use it on a Seneca Falls Star #20 lathe. I wanted something that was relatively light and accurate. The finished chuck weighs just 9 lbs. I also needed something that would include the material to bake a back plate. This particular lathe has a 1 7/16-12 threaded spindle.

It was a fun project and only took a few evenings to complete.
 
As an FYI this is a copy of the "Pat Loop" collet chuck. Plans for this chuck were originally published in Volume 1 No. 3 - June 1988 of the Projects in Metal magazine.
There is a thread by ozzie46 showing some pictures of his build of the original style.
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/diy-5-c-collet-chuck.8079/

Pat Loop's original was made from round mild steel bar stock. The one from Metal Lathe's uses cast iron castings.
 
Pacifica recommended Penn Tool for a good price. I don't know about their price for that collet chuck but I can say I've bought from Penn Tool many times, most times via walk-in. They're nice folks who've answered any and all my questions over the years. I highly recommend them. :encourage::encourage:
 
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