. . . .and we'll be watching your build with interest

I seem to have a plethora of different collet sizes and styles

Like most things it's a situation that 'developed'. My lathe has Burnerd EC11 multi-size collets, and I have a key operated and lever operated chuck:
http://rotagriponline.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=37&flypage=shop.flypage&pop=0&keyword=4+jaw+chuck&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29I also have a nose piece for the lathe for 5C collets, and a reasonable selection of those
The the Bridgeport uses R8's of course - so I have an Imperial and Metric set of those.
Then the Die Sinker EDM has TG75 as it's native spindle nose - I have a few collets, but usually it holds a parallel shank ER25 collet chuck in one and I use ER25's of which I have a full set.
Then on the CNC milling machine I have a CAT40 spindle, and chucks that take TG100, TG75, ER32, ER25, ER16, ER11, BE180
Then the CNC lathe has VERY odd ball collets on it's main and opposing spindles, but most of the circular tool holders are either ER11 or ER25
So all in all it's a standardisation nightmare, and there is no rationality in any of it
