ER11-B collet question

[Misterg]

I've inadvertently bought an ER11-B collet.

I never knew that they existed - they don't have the normal groove between the tapers and won't fit into a "normal" ER11-A nut.

Can I use these in an ER11 collet holder with an appropriate nut? (The holder has M14 x 0.75 thread)

If so, what nut should I be looking for? (I've been unable to find anything described as an ER11-B nut so far.)

Thanks.

 

[Agroshield]

I don't know the answer to your question, but on the general issue of A vs. B on both nuts and collets, try some of the other ER numbers (16, 20, 32 etc.) in your search.

ER11-B nuts do exist and in that size seem to have the same thread as ER11-A:

Type B Er Collet Nuts For Collet Chuck Er 20 Nut - Buy Type B Collet Nut,Nuts For Collet Chuck,Er 20 Nut Product on Alibaba.com

Type B Er Collet Nuts For Collet Chuck Er 20 Nut - Buy Type B Collet Nut,Nuts For Collet Chuck,Er 20 Nut Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

Weitol Er Chuck Series Er11-b Spring Collet Chuck Engraving Bits Parts - Buy Engraving Bits Parts,Eoc Collet Chuck,Er16 Spring Collet Product on Alibaba.com

Weitol Er Chuck Series Er11-b Spring Collet Chuck Engraving Bits Parts - Buy Engraving Bits Parts,Eoc Collet Chuck,Er16 Spring Collet Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

 

[m_c]

First I've ever seen that style of collet.

@Agroshield Difference between A and B nuts, is A is a hex nut, and B is slotted.

 

[Misterg]

First I've ever seen that style of collet.

You and me both!

I **think** that the B nut suits the B collets based on a comment: (Link)

"The er11A type collet and the B type collet are not universal.
1. There is a slot on the top of the type A chuck, and the type B does not.
2, er11A type nut is 6 ribs, B type is 2 ribs
3, A nut has a clip inside, it is just stuck in the groove of the chuck, but the nut thread is the same. Only the A-type collet should be equipped with A-type nut, B-type collet With type B nut.
Chuck and nut cannot be mixed"

Nobody seems to sell them in the UK, but I've found some since widening my search to Chinese suppliers after Agroshield's post above. I decided to throw good money after bad and have ordered one. I read 'chuck and nut cannot be mixed' as 'don't use the wrong nut', but looking at it again now, it might mean that the B nut won't fit on a chuck made for an 'A' nut. Hey ho. I'll report back in a month, or so, if/when it arrives.

If anyone knows any more about this style of collet, I'd be interested to hear.

Thanks all.

 

[Agroshield]

...it might mean that the B nut won't fit on a chuck made for an 'A' nut.

In the specific case of ER11, I think you should be OK. After all, the back end of the collet, the part that goes into the chuck, is the same for both types. It is only the part of the collet that interacts with the nut itself that differs.

If you look at the nut options in the first link above for every other size than ER11, the threads differ between nut types, but for ER11 (and only ER11), the thread is the same (M14 x 0.75) for both types of nut.

Things seem to have gone full circle. When Schaublin came out with this style of collet (it is in a 1946 catalogue) it had no groove in it so stayed in the chuck when the nut was removed. It was just known as an 'E' collet. The big innovation of Regofix in making it ER was to add the retaining groove and eccentric ring in the nut so the two remained together.

 

[Kram]

I havent seen that type of collet before but atleast with the other sizes, there is only the standard type of collet* while there are 3 types of nut. Nut usually different thread and spanner flats or castle type spanner.
If you hadnt found a listing I'd have said it was a bad one.

** Plus tapping collets, which appear identical but a square hole I think.. never used one..

Some collet info here, different types, but not yours..

https://takayama-shoji.co.jp/rego/pdf/13_technical_information.pdf

 

[Misterg]

Well, after a long wait, I can answer my own question:

Can I use these in an ER11 collet holder with an appropriate nut?

Yes.

As above, the only place I could find an ER11B nut was in China. When the original package turned up, it had the correct label on it, but a random collet inside. I got a refund on that and had to reorder.

Eventually, this turned up:

(It must be OK, because it has a QC Pass stamp .... )

The type 'B' collet does snap into the nut, but nowhere near as positively as the 'A' type.

And it does, indeed fit the "standard" ER11 collet holder

(Broken end mill for artistic purposes only...)

The best bit, though, is that the runout of the 'B' collet and nut is pretty much naff-all. (I didn't believe it the first time, so took it out and tried again.)

Here's my "normal" 4mm ER11A collet for comparison (about 30µm runout or a thou-and-a-bit):

The collet came from 'HSW-diamond-tools' on ebay and was described as high precision. I might just order a few more.