The $30 spin indexers at all the usual outlets only take 5C collets.
Is there a budget indexer that takes R8?
--
- -
Rex Burkheimer
WM Automotive
Fort Worth TX

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 10:45:08 -0600, Rex B wrote:

The $30 spin indexers at all the usual outlets only take 5C collets.
Is there a budget indexer that takes R8?

Ive never seen one, and it would be pretty limited in usage if anyone
did. It should be simple enough to make a replacement spindle for one
though.

Gunner


Lathe Dementia. Recognized as one of the major sub-strains of the
all-consuming virus, Packratitis. Usual symptoms easily recognized
and normally is contracted for life. Can be very contagious.
michael

Gunner wrote:
On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 10:45:08 -0600, Rex B wrote:


The $30 spin indexers at all the usual outlets only take 5C collets.
Is there a budget indexer that takes R8?


Ive never seen one, and it would be pretty limited in usage if anyone
did. It should be simple enough to make a replacement spindle for one
though.

Why would an R8 Collet be any more limited than a 5C?

--
- -
Rex Burkheimer
WM Automotive
Fort Worth TX

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 14:14:06 -0600, Rex B wrote:


Ive never seen one, and it would be pretty limited in usage if anyone
did. It should be simple enough to make a replacement spindle for one
though.

Why would an R8 Collet be any more limited than a 5C?

R8 is closed on the inside end to accomodate the drawbar. 5C's are
threaded on the outside, so they can accomodate long stock.

Why would an R8 Collet be any more limited than a 5C?

Hi Rex,

In addition to the single major limitation pointed out by Don (being able to
pass long stock through a 5C collet), there are additional advantages to 5C
collets over that of R8:

1. A 5C collet is rated for diameters up to 1-1/16", whereas an R8 collet is
typically no more than 7/8". There are some special R8 collets that are
larger, but they are not common and have an even shorter throat depth than
regular R8 collets.

2. 5C collets can be readily purchased in round, square, or hex styles,
whereas you'll be hard pressed to ever find an R8 collet that isn't round.

3. 5C collets are available in soft alloys (and even plastic) for custom
machining your own size collet.

4. You can get expanding 5C collets for gripping the inside of a bore.

5. You can get 5C faceplate fixtures (common up to 6" diameter) for making
custom jigs.

6. You can get 5C collet stops to quickly set and repeat the depth of a part
in the collet. This makes for much faster work when machining many small
parts to the same specs.

7. You can get 5C adapters or chucks for lathes.

Realize that 5C collets are intended for holding work pieces, while R8
collets are intended for holding tooling.

Regards,
Michael

Don Foreman wrote:
On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 14:14:06 -0600, Rex B wrote:


Ive never seen one, and it would be pretty limited in usage if
anyone
did. It should be simple enough to make a replacement spindle for
one
though.

Why would an R8 Collet be any more limited than a 5C?

R8 is closed on the inside end to accomodate the drawbar. 5C's are
threaded on the outside, so they can accomodate long stock.

R8s were intended to hold cutting tools in a quill or spindle, 5Cs were
for holding stock to be worked on in a lathe. I doubt if the O.P. will
find any tooling designed for R8s and stock-holding. How would you
draw down an R8 collet without a drawbar? The 5C indexers and blocks
use nuts or retaining rings on the outside threads to do that job. And
5C collets and tooling are so cheap it's hardly worth trying to figure
out how to use R8s for something that they weren't designed to do.

Stan

wrote:
Don Foreman wrote:

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 14:14:06 -0600, Rex B wrote:



Ive never seen one, and it would be pretty limited in usage if

anyone

did. It should be simple enough to make a replacement spindle for

one

though.

Why would an R8 Collet be any more limited than a 5C?

R8 is closed on the inside end to accomodate the drawbar. 5C's are
threaded on the outside, so they can accomodate long stock.


R8s were intended to hold cutting tools in a quill or spindle, 5Cs were
for holding stock to be worked on in a lathe. I doubt if the O.P. will
find any tooling designed for R8s and stock-holding. How would you
draw down an R8 collet without a drawbar? The 5C indexers and blocks
use nuts or retaining rings on the outside threads to do that job. And
5C collets and tooling are so cheap it's hardly worth trying to figure
out how to use R8s for something that they weren't designed to do.

Stan


OK, guys, I'm sold!

Thanks much for the detailed responses.
I'll plan on another set of collets.

--
- -
Rex Burkheimer
WM Automotive
Fort Worth TX

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 14:14:06 -0600, Rex B wrote:

Gunner wrote:
On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 10:45:08 -0600, Rex B wrote:


The $30 spin indexers at all the usual outlets only take 5C collets.
Is there a budget indexer that takes R8?


Ive never seen one, and it would be pretty limited in usage if anyone
did. It should be simple enough to make a replacement spindle for one
though.

Why would an R8 Collet be any more limited than a 5C?

Because R8 collets only come in about 8 or so sizes. 5c comes in all
shapes and sizes. Hundreds of them. thousands

Gunner


Lathe Dementia. Recognized as one of the major sub-strains of the
all-consuming virus, Packratitis. Usual symptoms easily recognized
and normally is contracted for life. Can be very contagious.
michael