My oddball project

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chucketn

chucketn

Senior Citizen
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
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Location
Near Jonesborough, TN

I have seen many extol the virtues of collets and colletblocks for various operations. I only have R8 collets. Quite a while ago Iasked on several forums about the possibility of making R8 collet blocks for Hex and Squarefeatures. I mostly got giggles, ridicule, and in general laughed at.
Then, a fella called Davyboy just went ahead and made some.Some folks even applauded the idea. Then the subject of dividing/indexing headscropped up. This reawakened in me the interestin R8 collet blocks, and spindles.

I decided to go ahead and make an R8 collet block forseveral reasons. I wanted to, I had a use for one, and making a collet blockwould be a good practice for making a spindle, whatever the taper.
So, over the last couple of days, I set about measuring,studying, researching, and finally making a R8 collet block.

My collet block started out as a piece of 1 ½” brass Hex.Why brass? I was the only material I had that was big enough to make a R8collet with, that stood a chance of being useful.
First I cut a 4 ½” length of the brass hex, and faced theends. As my 3” chuck was near its limit chucking the 1 ½” hex, and only withthe outside jaws, I turned 1 ¼” of one end round, allowing me to use my 4” 4jaw self centering chuck to hold it. I drilled it through 7/16”, bored to a close fit on the R8 collets,and then bored the 16° 51’ closing angle. I added a pin to fit the key slot onthe collets. I even had to make the closing bolt as I didn’t have a 7/16 x 20bolt in my collection, and I wasn’t going to town for one bolt. I turned downand single point threaded a bigger bolt I did have.

As I was drilling the hole for the key pin, I realized Iwould not be able to mill square from round stock. I milled ½” wide flats on 2opposite sides of the hex, effectively giving me the ability to create squares on round stock.
All in all, I made a tool that may not last as long as I do,and may not get a whole lot of use. But, I did it. I gained invaluableexperience to guide me in making an R8 spindle for the Dividing/Indexing headwhen I make it. It also showed me the limitations of some of my tools, and howto work around them.

Pictures here: http://s571.photobucket.com/user/chucketn/library/R8%20Collet%20Block
Chuck
 
Good on ya! Excellent project
Some folk just have to be negative about everything.
Not only do you have a functional shop tool but have learned a bunch as well. Best not to pay too much attention to those types. Thm:
Ernie J
 
What a simple but great idea. There's many a time I have a little round bit that's hard to hold in the mill. Haven't wanted to pony up for a collet closer and lots'o'bucks of 5C collets.
How did you get the angle right?
 
phrodo said:
What a simple but great idea. There's many a time I have a little round bit that's hard to hold in the mill. Haven't wanted to pony up for a collet closer and lots'o'bucks of 5C collets.
How did you get the angle right?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure the angle is exact. I halved the value on the drawing of an R8 collet (16° 51'), Then I set that value on my HF protractor and used that to set my compound. Used my Cheepie braized Carbide tipped boring bar to cut the angle.

Chuck
 
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, you had a need for something, so you went ahead and invented it (or modified an existing idea). Well done, the people with a negative approach will always look for a reason why things will not work. I'm a great believer in being positive in everything I do.

Paul.
 
Nice job on the R8 collet block. Have you tried it out on a machining project yet? Thanks for showing and explaining how you did it!

Cheers,
Phil
 
Great work, don't let others put your ideas down, those people just suck the happiness out of you, and life is way to short to worry about them.

I have always had a motto in life and it's always worked for me, if someone tells me I can't do something I will go out of my way to prove them wrong, I don't always succeed but I learn a lot, and at least I can say I gave it a go.

Just remember he who has never failed at anything has never done anything.
 
Last edited:
Philjoe5 said:
Nice job on the R8 collet block. Have you tried it out on a machining project yet? Thanks for showing and explaining how you did it!

Cheers,
Phil
Click to expand...

I used the brass R8 collet block to make a second key for my 4 jaw independant chuck. Worked somewhat, the key is useable.
I discovered a minor flaw in the machining of the sides of the hex to add square capability. I didn't machine them equally, don't know what I was thinking, LOL. I machined 2 sides of the hex to be square wth the opposing sides, if that makes sense. I left enough of those sides so I could still machine hex heads. But, I did not take into account the amount already removed when I flipped it to square the other side if that makes sense... LOL, now I'm confused:wall::wall::rant:.
Chuck
 
Some of the negativism may come from folks who tend to work with more precision than the rest of us...so maybe they say no you can't do it when what they really mean is it won't be as accurate as a purchased similar item. Just a thought. Many of us home shop machinists don't need quite that much precision. Just my thoughts/theory. I have certainly made crude devices/jigs/fixtures that I would be embarrassed to show to those same folks because of the laughter that would ensue. But I usually get done what I intended and while it may not be dead-on it is close enough.

I have a favorite saying (and it applies to so much in life). I may not have been the first to say it but I had not heard it until I came up with it so I like to think I coined it:

Perfect would good, but done is even better. :eek:

Paul
 
I have learnt a long time ago, it is great to try and be a perfectionist, but when you do a job to the perfection that you really like to achieve in your mind you must consider the following: 1/ Is it affordable? 2/ Is it achievable with the equipment at your disposal 3/ Do you have the time to achieve it 4/ Is it required to make it operational for the job at hand 5/ Will anyone notice to tolerances you have achieved 6/ Or is it just your ego talking.
If your answer is no to any of the above and yes to point number 6, you are wasting time and money. My philosophy is to do the absolute best you can with the tools you got within budget and a time frame that is achievable. If in industry we were to aim at the very best quality we can achieve with high end skills and equipment no one would buy the product because it would be un-affordable. So if it does the job you're home and hosed.
 
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