Myford Lever Collet Chuck thread

[Andy Smith 12Participant @andysmith12]

Hello,

Im new to this group and saw several photo's of a Myford collet chuck taken apart but can't find the thread to go with the photo's,it was by a member 'John C', but there may not be a thread to the photo's.

I've just got one of these for my ML7-B and even though i have had lathes for several years is there a way to set this collet chuck up,i know it it's common sense but the stud that attaches to the lug on the headstock is adjustable,is this just to move the position of the lever ?

Any help would be good in either finding John C's original post or setting up the lever collet chuck.

BTW i've used the search on this site and it just comes up with his album

Thanks

Andy

Coventry

[Andy Smith 12Participant @andysmith12]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Try these two

here and here

These are threads John started, he may have also posted in someone elses thread, if you click "forum posts" below his name you can look through all his posts.

Edited By JasonB on 07/09/2015 20:18:19

[John CParticipant @johnc47954]

Hi Andy,

I have one of these chucks. I did post photos of a disassembled one, but will happily post some more if I can help.

Yours,

John

edited due fat fingers!

Edited By John C on 07/09/2015 20:38:01

[Andy Smith 12Participant @andysmith12]

Thank Jason and John.

There seems to be two Myford variants,the early one has the swinging link with a short stud but later ones just have a long eyebolt stud,my ML7-B is a 1972 model so has the lug cast on the headstock,mine has the long stud but then wondered if it should have the link in it and cant see how,i guess i'll bite the bullet and take it slowly as it's not rocket science but like to hear from folks like yourselves.

Cheers

Andy

[Andy Smith 12Participant @andysmith12]

Hi John,

Mine differs from yours by having two nylon slippers in the chuck groove rather than the brass ring yours has,i think mine is an early model as there seems to be a couple of variants,i took it apart and the ball bearings seem a bit loose,not sure if that's right,it clamps up OK but seems to be on the verge of the lever wanting to come back to the collet open position,like i said earlier i've no idea how to set one of these up and cant find anyone or any info on them.It has a fixed stud to headstock and not the linkage but the outer can float and is not hindered by chuck rotation

Andy

[Andy Smith 12Participant @andysmith12]

This is the one.

[Neil LickfoldParticipant @neillickfold44316]

Mine is that type. I set the stud at the back, so that the lever is floating between the upper and lower bush if that can make sense. These are a dead length type collet chuck and only have a very small working diameter range. At least my one is at any rate. If the bar is more than 0.10mm or so smaller than the nominal size, my one does not hold it very well. I tighten the front nut and then the lever opens and closes it. If you really need to wind on the nut to close down onto the stock size, I would be thinking that the stock size is too small for that size collet. I made a few collets, nothing flash, from just 4140 steel I had at the time. I just hack saw spilt mine 4 ways, it was easier than trying to do the 3 way split thing. They worked very well and was very repeatable. It is not as accurate as a Hardinge 5C collet, but is still very useful all the same when making a batch number of small parts .

The collets have not been available out here for quite some time now.

Neil

[Andy Smith 12Participant @andysmith12]

Thanks Neil,

I think it's going to have to be a case of fiddling with it to set it up properly,such a simple thing and im probably looking too much into it.I know what you mean about the collets,at around £15-17 they are not cheap,the chuck cost me hardly anything so if i cant get used to it i'll sell it and get an MT2 ER25 collet set,the Myford chucks go for silly money and should cover the cost of a set of those,but i will persist and i thank you for your input.

Andy

[Neil LickfoldParticipant @neillickfold44316]

Andy, The Er32 collets are really only any good when the pieces are the full length of the collet or more than 3/4 collet length engagement . The Myford will hold very short pieces and be very stable. I know loads of people love the ER32 systems, but for short small work pieces, in my view are not a good choice. My Grip true chuck is more accurate than the ER32 was for my lathe.

Neil

[Andy Smith 12Participant @andysmith12]

Thanks everyone for the advice,

I finally got the Lever collet chuck gripping tight after machining the backplate to suit my lathe with no perceptible run out,and after a complete strip,clean and re-grease and a bit of fiddling setting it up it works fine,a very handy tool for me as i do repetitive work most times.

Eagle eyed viewers will see the 'Bison' QCTP needs a longer locking spindle nut and handle as it fouls the tool-post cam lock nut,i was just trying it out as had been given it free with 4 toolholders about a year ago,i might sell it and get the one from RDG tools as they may not be industrial quality but the tool-holders are more readily available than the 'Bison' make.

ThanksThanks

Andy

Andysmile emoticon

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