MadModder

The Shop => Tools => Topic started by: ScroungerLee on October 11, 2009, 10:27:05 PM

Title: What are Brass Collets meant for?
Post by: ScroungerLee on October 11, 2009, 10:27:05 PM

I came across a set of brass collets for a South Bend lathe.  I didn't know such a thing existed.  I am thinking there must be some uses where brass is better than steel?  What should they NOT be used for so as not to damage them?

Lee

Title: Re: What are Brass Collets meant for?
Post by: bogstandard on October 12, 2009, 01:11:24 AM

Lee,

In 5C collets you can buy brass and nylon emergency collets, that you bore yourself to whatever size is required.

I suspect what you have is the same sort of idea.


Bogs

Title: Re: What are Brass Collets meant for?
Post by: ScroungerLee on October 12, 2009, 08:05:20 PM

Thanks for your input Bogs.  These seem to be a set though.
Each is in it's own Bakelite container with a clear (or used to be clear 70 yrs ago) top.   I love these old tools.  You can tell that accountants had nothing to do with the design :)

My question still remains, why brass?  It seems I should be careful what I use these for to avoid damaging them?

Thanks as always,

Lee

Title: Re: What are Brass Collets meant for?
Post by: Bernd on October 12, 2009, 08:21:37 PM

Could be that they didn't want to damage the part that they were going to hold in the collet such as ground surfaces.  :scratch:

Bernd

Title: Re: What are Brass Collets meant for?
Post by: ScroungerLee on October 12, 2009, 08:26:05 PM

Yeah, that makes sense.  I wonder if they were ordered with the lathe.  This is almost tempting me to get the original whatsit card from South Bend to see who ordered this all those years ago. 

Lee

Title: Re: What are Brass Collets meant for?
Post by: John Hill on October 12, 2009, 08:41:51 PM

They sound like the sort of thing that should be put carefully on the shelf and looked at every five years or so! :coffee: