WTB B3 Collets

[techymechy]

I bought a Bridgeport M head that is in good shape. I was hoping to get more B3 collets. I thought I'd ask if anyone in the community has some collets that they'd be willing to sell. I have pretty much what I need, but was hoping to make a complete set.

Please PM me if you have some B3 collets you'd be willing to sell.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[SteveM]

This is going to sound flippant, but it's actually serious.

It may be cheaper to buy another head.
Someone had a set of B3 collets for something like $500-$600 - you can get a head for less.
Sell whatever B3 collets you have, part out your head, and use the money to buy a Morse taper 2 head.

Another alternative is to find a shop that makes spindles and have them make you an ER collet chuck with a shank in the shape of a B3. I had a shop make me a Morse taper 2 adapter in the shape of a Pratt & Whitney 4PN collet.

If you have a 1/2" collet, you could also get a 1/2" straight shank ER collet chuck.

Good luck in your search.

Steve

 

[techymechy]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the reply.

I already have a descent assortment of collets: 1/2, 3/8, 1/4, and 3/16". I was hoping that someone had some stashed away that they would sell. Man, I cannot see paying $500-$600 for a set of collets though (but maybe my expectations are incorrect). I am using this on an Hardinge TM machine. There are 3 M heads on eBay, and my head looks to be the same as the best looking one, which the guy is asking $1200.

I might try to make some when I get a few free minutes (probably after retirement).

Dave

 

[SteveM]

Sounds like you have the important ones. Unlike a lathe, you're not going to need them in 64th, 32nds or even more than one or two 16th sizes.

An alternative is hardinge bushings, which are straight bushings with a shoulder, and four slits, alternating from the top and bottom. You can make your own or pick some up on ebay. For a while, that was all I had for my mill as I only had one collet.



I picked up my BS7 M-head for $200.

Steve

 

[techymechy]

Hey Steve,

I live in the land of no hobby machines. I think you live in the land of hobby machines. I paid way more than $200 for my head, but the guy who sold it was really honest and made some measurements that insured I wasn't buying a box of rocks. I'll look for the straight bushings too. I'm not in any big rush for these, but I thought I'd ask this community if there were any available. This could take years to get a complete set. I'm only missing the 7/16", 5/16" and 1/8" (which are rarely used, except for maybe the 1/8").

Dave

 

[SteveM]

Hey Steve,

I live in the land of no hobby machines. I think you live in the land of hobby machines.

I moved from the land of hobby machines to the land of no hobby machines. Took me 8 months to find a South Bend 9a for under $2500.

I'm thinking of getting a trailer, buying some machines back east and selling them here.

Steve

 

[techymechy]

I moved from the land of hobby machines to the land of no hobby machines. Took me 8 months to find a South Bend 9a for under $2500.

I'm thinking of getting a trailer, buying some machines back east and selling them here.

Steve

I thought that I’d send this to the top. Still looking for B3 collets.

 

[techymechy]

Ok. One last time for awhile. Please let me know if you have any B3 collets for sale.

thanks