1/8" collet?

[Rob Gunn]

I have a 1/2" and 1/4" collet for my PRT96 with Porter Cable router. I want to start doing some small 3D work and have some 1/8" diameter ball nose cutters but where can I get a 1/8" collet? I have looked on ShopBot WEB and looked on EBay and even a Google search but find nothing. I could make an adaptor to fit into my 1/4" collet but I would rather have a true running 1/8" collet.

[frank134]

so a search on here and you will find your answer. someone just posted about that.

[chiloquinruss]

What collet style does the Porter use? On my spindle it uses the ER25 style of collet. I got my extra ER25 collets from Micro Mark. Russ

[dlcw]

Rob,

You can also get 1/8" ballnose bits that have a 1/4" shank that will fit in your 1/4" collet. I'm not sure I would want to use a bit with a 1/8" shank. Little strength IMHO.

[cnc_works]

Before I got my spindle with a 1/8 inch collet, I used a split sleeve adapter with my Porter cable. Never had a problem. Here is one URL from a Google search.

http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/sleeve-adaptor14to18.aspx

[Rob Gunn]

All good suggestion, thanks. I'm a toolmaker by trade and was leaning toward just making a 1/8"- 1/4" adapter similar to what Don shows but I would rather just by a "off the shelf" true collet if I could. I will try to contact Porter Cable direct and ask if they do offer a 1/8" collet for my model 7519 router (not a spindle). Maybe a phone call will give what I cant find on the WEB. Thanks again to all.

[paul_z]

Try this place http://precisebits.com/

I have used their collet and nut system fo PC routers for a few years. They are amazingly accutate (very little runout).

I've used their collet and nut system with a extended cutting length, 0.9mm, 1/8 shank carbide end mill to drill through PC board. I was amazed the endmill did not break.

If I remember correctly, the collets and nuts are about $20 each. It does require a special spanner wrench.

Paul Z

[curtiss]

There is also a 1/2" by 1/8" collet bushing that works well in a PC router, I bought four a while back but can't seem to locate where right now.

I use a bit of medium strength lock tight on the 1/8 shaft which helps, but may insulate the bit when using the z plate.

[Brady Watson]

You can also use a Stubby Collet Chuck (http://www.shopbotblog.com/index.php/2006/01/just-a-little-bit/)

[beacon14]

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9850

[curtiss]

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/orderstatus/html/smarthtml/pages/bushing_ball_bearings.html

[fozzyber]

http://www.k2cnc.com/shop/products.asp?cat=27
$18

[dana_swift]

I took Brady's suggestion and bought the stubby collet chucks. They worked so well I ordered more of them. The stubby goes into a 1/2" collet and allows you to put in almost any size sub chuck for drills or whatever.

If you look at the wooden orrery post, that was all done with a 1/8" downspiral in the stubby. I have 1/4" collets for the stubby also so I can extend the reach of my 1/4" bits down into deep valleys. That has sometimes been just exactly what I have needed.

I highly second Brady's recommendation.

[Allen Wagner]

I just ordered one yesterday from mlcs@mlcswoodworking.com. The split 1/4 to 1/8 split adapter runs $4 with free shipping.

allen
www.wagnerwood.com (http://www.wagnerwood.com)