I find collet chucks convenient for holding small work. For bottle stoppers, bird calls, etc.
The screw on Apprentice and Beall Collet Chucks are getting pretty pricey. I recently found a cheaper alternative in the metal working world. You can purchase a “Straight Shank ER32 Collet Holder” for around $25 on Amazon. If you already have a set of ER32 collets. Then you are ready to go. Otherwise you also need to purchase a basic set of ER32 collets for around $30 on Amazon. All prices on 5/6/2020.
Continue reading Collet Chuck Revisited →
Meta Description: A metal working "Straight Shank ER32 Collet Holder" on Amazon is a cheaper alternative to the pricey Apprentice or Beall Collet Chucks available in the woodturning world.
Here is a pointer to my “Shopmade Collet Chuck” article that appeared on page 18 of the AAW August 2018 “American Woodturner” Journal.
Continue reading Shopmade Collet Chuck →
Meta Description: Link to Carl's "Shopmade Collet Chuck" AAW magazine article PDF. How to make your own custom collet chucks out of UHMW plastic.
I find collet chucks convenient for holding small work.
Collets typically come in standard dowel sizes 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, or 3/4″. So it is very easy to mount a chunk of dowel as a turning blank. Or you can mount a turning blank between centers and turn a tenon. I like to use 3/4″ diameter tenons when possible.
Continue reading Collet Chucks →
Meta Description: Carl finds collet chucks convenient for holding small work. It is very easy to mount a chunk of dowel as a turning blank. Carl reviews 2 poplar brands of collet chucks.
Life's Too Short To Use Crappy Tools!
