ER Collet blocks

[MetalMonkey]

I fancy getting some of these, probably from ARC.
I've got ER32 collets (mainly for the mill) and ER40 collets (mainly for the lathe) - so could get blocks in either size.

Is there any good reason to choose one size of block over the other?
I'm assuming ER40 wins as it has the bigger capacity, but not sure if the nut overhang gets in the way more?

I know a few guys on here are using them. Thoughts?

 

[Kram]

Easy enough to make too. 8 degree taper and a thread.
Er40 wins for me particually if you have oversize collets upto 32mm. I cant remember when I last used my er32 set & I should probably sell them.

 

[Agroshield]

...if the nut overhang gets in the way more?

Having overhanging nuts is every (metal) monkey's dream. It is a feature not a fault. If you use the collet block in a vice, you push the back of the nut up against the vice jaw so the length stays the same when you index it. If the nut were smaller than the body, you'd need a separate length stop.

Consider where you will use it: if mostly in the mill, buy an ER40 one as you guarantee that if you buy an ER32 one, the collet you need to hold the workpiece is the same collet you need to hold the cutter.

 

[Kram]

You can get externally threaded collet nuts too. Common for cnc lathe milling heads I think - thats where Ive seen them. 2 in the pic:

Where you'd buy them, no idea. Nuts are harder to make but the block dimensions are still simple enough.

 

[Seadog]

Arceurotrade sell them.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Arceurotrade sell them.

That was the original plan...

 

[My Old Landy]

I bought cheap ones and had to machine them as they were no where near correct. Cheap is not good where things like this are concerned!

 

[doubleboost]

I have both , but use ER40 most of the time .