CNC router bits and carbide cutting tools with tutorials and technical guides

Precision Collets, Nuts and Toolholders

Specifications
  • Architecture: interleaved spring collet
  • Steel : SCM440
  • Hardness: HRC 46
  • Taper: 8°
  • Surface Roughness: Rz 2.5
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm)
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Clamping range ER11= 0.020" (0.5mm), ER16, 20, 32, 40 = 0.039" (1mm )
  • Compatible with DR, RD, ESX, AR, & BR Series Collets
Benefits
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
ER-25 Ultra-precision collet
Specifications
  • Balanced to 18,000 RPM @ G2.5
  • Collet Taper : 8°
  • Surface Roughness Rz 2.5
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined to 0.0003" TIR
  • MUST BE USED WITH A 1/2" ULTRA PRECISION (UP) OR EXTREME PRECISION (EP) COLLET
Benefits
  • Balanced to 18,000 RPM @ G2.5
  • Collet Taper : 8°
  • Surface Roughness Rz 2.5
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined to 0.0003" TIR
  • MUST BE USED WITH A 1/2" ULTRA PRECISION (UP) OR EXTREME PRECISION (EP) COLLET
ER16 collet adapter
Specifications
  • Balanced to 25,000 RPM @ G2.5
  • Internal (collet) Taper : 8°
  • Surface Roughness Rz 2.5
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined to 0.0002" TIR
Benefits
  • Balanced to 25,000 RPM @ G2.5
  • Internal (collet) Taper : 8°
  • Surface Roughness Rz 2.5
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined to 0.0002" TIR
Ultra-precision ISO 20 Toolholder
Specifications
  • used in applications where speeds exceed 10,000 PRM
  • balanced to G2.5 for 20,000 RPM's
  • used on collet holders and multi-spindle heads where center or shoulder distances are critical.
Benefits
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
ER20M Nut
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm)
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined
Benefits
  • contains the collets, wrench, nut, and spindle cleaner you need to get started immediately
  • substantial savings over purchasing the individual components
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Precision Collet Kits
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 1.6um
  • balanced to G2.5 for 24,000 RPM's
  • TIR (with BO UP collet) < 0.0002" (0.005mm)
  • must be used with Think & Tinker BOPG-1618 collets and spanners
Benefits
  • improved collet centering and tool shank clamping
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
  • used in applications where speeds exceed 10,000 PRM
Bosch 1618 nut
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm)
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% inspected
  • Must be used with Think & Tinker BOPG-1618 nuts and spanners
Benefits
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Bosch 1618 collet
NOTE: These collets MUST be used with Think & Tinker NUTs and WRENCHES! They will NOT work with the nuts and wrenches that are supplied with your router.
Compatible with:

Bosch families
  • 1320, B1350, B1450 (all configurations)
  • 1604A, 1606A, 1613, 1613EVS, 1613AEVS (all configurations)
  • 1617, 1617EVS,1618, 1618EVS, 1619, 1619EVS, 1649 (all configurations)
  • MRC23EVSK, MRF23EVS, MRP23EVS (all configurations)
Hitachi family
  • M12VC, KM12VC (all configurations)
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm)
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined
Benefits
  • contains the collets, wrench, nut, and spindle cleaner you need to get started immediately
  • substantial savings over purchasing the individual components
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Precision Collet Kits
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 1.6um
  • balanced to G2.5 for 24,000 RPM's
  • TIR (with PC UP collet) < 0.0002" (0.005mm)
  • must be used with Think & Tinker DEPG-0611 collets and spanners
Benefits
  • improved collet centering and tool shank clamping
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
  • used in applications where speeds exceed 10,000 PRM
Dewalt 611 nut
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm).
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% inspected
  • must be used with Think & Tinker DEPG-0611 nuts and spanners
Benefits
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Dewalt 611 collet
NOTE: These collets MUST be used with Think & Tinker NUTs and WRENCHES! They will NOT work with the nuts and wrenches that are supplied with your router.
Compatible with:

Dewalt families
  • 611 (all configurations)
  • 26200 (all configurations)
Porter-Cable family
  • 450 (all configurations)
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm)
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined
Benefits
  • contains the collets, wrench, nut, and spindle cleaner you need to get started immediately
  • substantial savings over purchasing the individual components
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Precision Collet Kits
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 1.6um
  • balanced to G2.5 for 24,000 RPM's
  • TIR (with MI UP collet) < 0.0002" (0.005mm)
  • must be used with Think & Tinker MIPG-5600 collets and spanners
Benefits
  • improved collet centering and tool shank clamping
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
  • used in applications where speeds exceed 10,000 PRM
Precision MI Nut
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm).
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% inspected
  • must be used with Think & Tinker DEPG-0611 nuts and spanners
Benefits
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Milwaukee Collet
NOTE: These collets MUST be used with Think & Tinker NUTs and WRENCHES! They will NOT work with the nuts and wrenches that are supplied with your router.
Compatible with:

Milwaukee families
  • 5615 (all configurations)
  • 5616 (all configurations)
  • 5619 (all configurations)
  • 5625 (all configurations)
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm)
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% examined
Benefits
  • contains the collets, wrench, nut, and spindle cleaner you need to get started immediately
  • substantial savings over purchasing the individual components
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Precision Collet Kits
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 1.6um
  • balanced to G2.5 for 24,000 RPM's
  • TIR (with PC UP collet) < 0.0002" (0.005mm)
  • must be used with Think & Tinker PCPG-0429 collets and spanners
Benefits
  • improved collet centering and tool shank clamping
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
  • used in applications where speeds exceed 10,000 PRM
Precision PC Nut
Specifications
  • Steel : SCM440
  • H.R.C. 45-52
  • Surface Roughness: Ra 0.5um
  • Internal hole by boring machine.
  • Collet Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm).
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
  • Degree of concentricity exceeds the DIN standard. 100% inspected
  • must be used with Think & Tinker DEPG-0611 nuts and spanners
Benefits
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
  • low TIR means less wear and tear on spindle bearings
Precision PC 1/8" Collet
NOTE: These collets MUST be used with Think & Tinker NUTs and WRENCHES! They will NOT work with the nuts and wrenches that are supplied with your router.
Compatible with:

Porter-Cable families
  • 2902, 6302 (all configurations)
  • 690, 690LR, 691, 693 (all configurations)
  • 7518, 7519, 7536, 7537, 7538, 7539 (all configurations)
  • 86902, 883799X (all configurations)
  • 890, 891, 892, 893, 895 (all configurations)
  • 9690LR (all configurations)
Specifications
  • Architecture: 8-leaf, interleaved spring form
  • Steel: SAE 4130
  • Hardness: HRC 46 - 52
  • Surface Roughness: Rz 2.5
  • Internal hole by boring machine
  • Reducer Tolerance Grades:(read the Collet Selection tutorial)
    • EP (extreme-precision grade) TIR < 0.0001in (0.0025mm)
    • UP (ultra-precision grade) TIR < 0.0002in (0.005mm)
    • PG (precision grade) TIR < 0.0004in (0.01mm)
Benefits
  • compatible with all 1/2 in. capacity routers, spindles and adapter chucks
  • cheaper, and more convenient than press on bushings
  • better clamping and centering than conventional shank adapters
  • low noise operation
  • longer tool life
  • more accurate cutting and higher kerf fidelity
  • compatible with carbide microtools
1/2" Collet Reducer
Specifications
  • Length:
    • 3.0mm (0.1181 in.) dia. - 38mm
    • 1/8in. (0.1250 in.) dia. - 1.5in.
    • 3/16in. (0.1875 in.) dia. - 3.0in.
    • 6.0mm (0.2362 in.) dia. - 75mm
    • 1/4in. (0.2500 in.) dia. - 3.0in.
    • 8.0mm (0.3150 in.) dia. - 75mm
    • 3/8in. (0.3750 in.) dia. - 3.0in.
    • 1/2in. (0.5000 in.) dia. - 3.0in.
  • TIR (max. runout) - 100% laser inspected
    • 3.0mm (0.1181 in.) dia. - 0.000050in. (0.0013mm)
    • 1/8in. (0.1250 in.) dia. - 0.000050in. (0.0013mm)
    • 3/16in. (0.1875 in.) dia. - 0.000100in. (0.0013mm)
    • 6.0mm (0.2362 in.) dia. - 0.000200in. (0.0051mm)
    • 1/4in. (0.2500 in.) dia. - 0.000200in. (0.0051mm)
    • 8.0mm (0.3150 in.) dia. - 0.000200in. (0.0051mm)
    • 3/8in. (0.3750 in.) dia. - 0.000300in. (0.0076mm)
    • 1/2in. (0.5000 in.) dia. - 0.000300in. (0.0076mm)
  • Material - solid micro-grain carbide
Applications
  • Determining TIR in spindles, routers, collets and tool-holders
  • Balance testing nuts and collets
  • Testing collet retention force (clamping reliability)
  • Calibrating calipers, micrometers and optical comparators
High-precision solid carbide calibration blanks for TIR determination

Click on a section below for more details.

Measuring Spindle runout - One of the leading causes of bit breakage on CNC routers is excessive runout (TIR) or eccentricity at the cutting tool.

Measuring spindle runout

Collet maintenance with ColletCare@ - Combining a solvent, low viscosity lubricant and a small amount of colloidal graphite, ColletCare@ will clean, polish and protect the bore and collets of virtually any precision spindle, router, laminate trimmer or hand grinder.

ColletCare procedure

Working with ER Collets - One of the hallmarks of the ER system of nuts, collets, and wrenches is their ease of use. The architecture is reliable, durable and able to provide exceptional performance in an affordable package.

Er collet insertion

ER Torque Chart - Recommended torque for an ER collet is based on ER size, nut type, and collet bore diameter. Too much or too little torque can have negative effects on your cut, bits, collets, nuts, and spindle. Use this filterable chart to find the recommended number for the specific collet you're using.

ER torque chart

Bosch-Colt Case Study - Of the first 1,200 Bosch-Colt kits sold, only 4 cases of incompatibility were reported. Then, from Dec. 2010 to June, 2011, reported problems rose to almost 20% of kits sold. The problem was ultimately identified as an apparent change in the manufacturing tolerance of the spinlde taper bore-angle. This resulted in a significant number of Colt routers being sold with bore tapers as much as 0.7° away from the previously measured optimum angle. It doesn't sound like much, until you see the effect it had on TIR when paired with our precision collet kit.

Bosch-Colt Case Study