Lathe Chucks & Collets

Lathe chucks and collets are essential components for securing workpieces in a lathe during machining operations. Here's a brief overview of each:

Lathe Chucks

  • 3-Jaw Chucks: Commonly used for holding round or hexagonal workpieces. They are self-centering, meaning the jaws move simultaneously to center the workpiece.
  • 4-Jaw Chucks: Each jaw moves independently, allowing for more precise centering of irregularly shaped workpieces.
  • Collet Chucks: Use collets to hold the workpiece. They provide a high level of precision and are ideal for smaller, more delicate work.

Collets

  • ER Collets: Versatile and widely used, they can hold a range of diameters within a single collet size.
  • 5C Collets: Commonly used in lathes and milling machines, they are available in various shapes (round, square, hex) to accommodate different workpiece profiles.
  • R8 Collets: Typically used in milling machines, but can also be adapted for use in lathes.

If you need more specific information or recommendations on where to purchase these tools, feel free to ask!