| Working with ER Nuts
and 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 (low TIR, good balance,
excellent tool retention, etc.) in an affordable package. That being
said, the following tutorial will no doubt take a VERY easy process and
render in all but impenetrable.
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If you look down the barrel (threaded portion) of the nut, you will
notice an eccentric ring at the top of the threads. This is referred to
as an "extractor ring" for reasons that will soon become apparent.
The purpose of this ring in two-fold. First of all, it serves to hold
the collet in the nut so that they can be removed and handled as a unit
without fear of them falling apart. Second, as the nut is loosened, the
ring runs around the groove in the collet and lifts it out of the
spindle bore (kind of like running a finger around the lid of a plastic
container to remove it). With this kind of system, there is no way for
the collet to remain jammed in the spindle as the nut is removed.
Automatic collet extraction at its finest. |
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As far as putting the collet and nut together, the trick is to insert the collet so that the
annular groove straddles the extractor ring and the tapered top rim of the collet seats properly into
the conical cavity of the nut.
This is easily done by angling the collet
up into the nut and pushing it past the extractor ring until the entire top portion
of the collet is above the ring. |
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Now, push on the bottom of the collet until the collet completely enters, and
lines up with, the nut. As the collet moves into proper alignment, you
will hear and feel a distinct click, indicating that the top of the
collet is safely secured above the extractor ring. |
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The nut /
collet assembly can now be screwed onto the spindle, loaded with one of
those great PreciseBits, and made ready to
use.
NOTE
NEVER
ACTIVATE (TURN ON) A SPINDLE WITHOUT A TOOL SECURELY FASTENED INSIDE THE
COLLET, AND THE NUT PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
FAILURE
TO FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE PRECAUTION COULD LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE
SPINDLE, COLLET, NUT AND ANY UNFORUTNATE BYSTANDER. |
Removing the collet from the nut is also quite easy.
- Remove the nut / collet from the spindle and remove any bits
from the collet bore ("DUH" you say, but you would be surprised!).
- Gripping the nut with one hand, tilt the collet over as far as it will go
with the other.
- While maintaining pressure on the collet, twist the nut until you
hear / feel a click.
- The "click" indicates that the top rim of the collet groove has
completely snapped out of the extractor ring and the collet can be
removed from the nut. Note: with a
new nut or collet it might be necessary to also press on the top of the
collet with your thumb as you twist the nut to achieve separation.
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| Now. Be honest. That
wasn't so difficult. Was it? |
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