I bought a Cowells lathe about 15 years ago and it came with three R8 Shaublin collets. I have not used it much until now, but that I am using it more I want to expand my range of collets. Unfortunately these collets no long appear to be available and Cowells is instead advertising a different type which requires £100 or so to be spent on a special adapter.

My question is whether other types of 8mm watchmakers collets, such as those sold under the Bergeon brand, are compatible with the Cowells. These, like all collets, seem jolly expensive, but they are available in a much larger range of sizes than those advertised by Cowells. I have left a query with Cowells but they have yet to respond.

Now spoken to Cowells. It seems I was looking at the accessories page for the wrong lathe. These collets are still available (for a king's ransom) and the Bergeon ones, which are slightly cheaper, do fit.