- Joined
- Mar 26, 2018
- Messages
- 8,409
I traded for two Jacob's Rubber Flex Collet chucks a few months ago. Having no experience with them I had no expectation as to accuracy or total indicated reading of run-out.
The first time I mounted the better of the two, I placed a 1/2" to 9/16" (I think) put a piece of stock in and checked TIR. I was very disappointed to find it was in excess of .005".
I took them apart and cleaned-oiled them. I also used my precision stones (thanks Bob) to de-burr the outside of the collets. The set came with three boxes of collets including the square and hex I believe.
I checked TIR again, no better. Then I watched a Youtube video on a method of mounting the D1-6 chuck loosely and tapping like you would a 4 jaw chuck. That helped a little bit but still not very good.
Last weekend I decided to get to the bottom of this issue. I decided I would try clocking the way I mounted it and try to identify and mark the best clocked position true to accuracy. In the process, I found that when I really tightened the lugs, the TIR got much better.
Eureka! That's the trick? Tighten the lugs of the cam lock? Really tight? = YES.
I have less than .001" on every collet I tried. Each collet was cleaned and deburred.
If you have struggled with your Flex collet chuck, try it.
I hope it works for you.
The first time I mounted the better of the two, I placed a 1/2" to 9/16" (I think) put a piece of stock in and checked TIR. I was very disappointed to find it was in excess of .005".
I took them apart and cleaned-oiled them. I also used my precision stones (thanks Bob) to de-burr the outside of the collets. The set came with three boxes of collets including the square and hex I believe.
I checked TIR again, no better. Then I watched a Youtube video on a method of mounting the D1-6 chuck loosely and tapping like you would a 4 jaw chuck. That helped a little bit but still not very good.
Last weekend I decided to get to the bottom of this issue. I decided I would try clocking the way I mounted it and try to identify and mark the best clocked position true to accuracy. In the process, I found that when I really tightened the lugs, the TIR got much better.
Eureka! That's the trick? Tighten the lugs of the cam lock? Really tight? = YES.
I have less than .001" on every collet I tried. Each collet was cleaned and deburred.
If you have struggled with your Flex collet chuck, try it.
I hope it works for you.