Denford Software & Machines

I think we all know that there isn't much room under the spindle, especially when you mount a typical BT30/ER16 collet chuck in it. I have been looking in vain for a short chuck - it is possible to get very low overhang BT40 chucks for ER25 and ER32 collets such as this:

https://www.cutwel.co.uk/tool-holding/s ... xtra-short

...but I haven't seen anything similar for ER16. Looking at the size of the ER16 socket it ought to be possible to do something similar; or at least to just have the threaded portion projecting from the taper.

Before I have a go at making something, has anyone seen such a chuck available commercially? Combined with a low profile vice or clamping system it would make the machine much more capable.

In short, yes, they're available.

But, it comes down to budget. We use a modular type, where the cutting tip mounts onto a shaft which is mounted to the BT30 tool holder. There's a wide range of shaft sizes (and of course diameters to match the tool tips) - they're Japanese, very high spec, and very expensive. Two companies manufacture for the same system - one uses the tool holder for shrink-fit holders and the for rigid milling. From memory these are circa 25mm length. Each tool tip is between £45 and £65 and the holders and shafts will set you back a few hundred easily. But they're amazing - because you're not clamping an end mill in a collet, but instead are threading it onto a shaft (the shaft locks into the tool holder and the pull stud is double-ended, and threads into the shaft), it's beyond rigid! I've seen them plow into nasty materials at speed and taking large amounts of material off, without any trouble.

There's also another Japanese brand that makes very short collet chucks which we also use (60mm length or less from memory) - you can get them through Misumi: https://uk.misumi-ec.com/vona2/detail/2 ... llet+chuck

Again, they're not the cheapest, and are £200 ex VAT without any collets (which are about £30-40 each, but if you check their specs you'll realise they're normal ER collets).

So, in there's options, but it's budget!

OK, thanks for that information - sorry for my slow reply! As you say, a bit pricy! Maybe I'll just make something...

ER16 you can find here: https://en.tradebearings.com/ER16-356029.html

or global website: https://www.tradebearings.com/

Or you can get cheap and quality bearings from https://www.bearingforworld.com/