Colin Doyle
Plastic
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2020
- Location
- Minnesota
Hey guys. Been a long time lurker, but only recently joined the forum to participate in another thread.
Earlier this year, I picked up a 1953 Kearney & Trecker 2D rotary-head machine at an industrial auction, and (of course) it only included the 5/8 inch collet that had been installed in the spindle when the machine was last used. Undoubtedly, somebody else walked away from the auction with a Stanley Vidmar cabinet full of collets and promptly dumped them in his recycling bin.
I have been working with a collet manufacturer (yes, they're located in mainland China,) and have placed a modest order for #30 collets to fit these machines. I have 12-piece sets, ranging in size from 1/8in to 13/16in in 1/16in increments. I instructed the collet manufacturer to design the new collets with six slots (two pairs of three in opposing directions) in order to increase the clamping force that could be transmitted to smaller tooling. I understand the #30 collet typically extends down to, what, 3/8 inch? Below that, it's typically necessary to use the 30-to-20 collet adapter. With this batch of collets, that's not necessary.
I have not yet explored the option of having #20 KT collets manufactured, but if I'm able to recoup my investment in these ones, I would like to place an order for those, as well. I have a universal milling attachment for my machine, which requires the smaller KT20 collet. When the machine came into my possession, the #20 collet which was installed in the attachment was a fairly crude home-made aluminum piece. It would be great to have a full range of collets to replace that.
Anyway, these are listed on eBay. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to provide a link or pricing here; I just wanted to bring it to the attention of any K&T 2D owners who may be browsing this forum. Furthermore, I'm inclined to offer these at a more favorable cost to PM forum members (or anyone else who's willing to circumvent eBay's final value fees.)
Hopefully I can save a few of these machines from being retired due to lack of toolholding options.
Thanks,
Colin
Earlier this year, I picked up a 1953 Kearney & Trecker 2D rotary-head machine at an industrial auction, and (of course) it only included the 5/8 inch collet that had been installed in the spindle when the machine was last used. Undoubtedly, somebody else walked away from the auction with a Stanley Vidmar cabinet full of collets and promptly dumped them in his recycling bin.
I have been working with a collet manufacturer (yes, they're located in mainland China,) and have placed a modest order for #30 collets to fit these machines. I have 12-piece sets, ranging in size from 1/8in to 13/16in in 1/16in increments. I instructed the collet manufacturer to design the new collets with six slots (two pairs of three in opposing directions) in order to increase the clamping force that could be transmitted to smaller tooling. I understand the #30 collet typically extends down to, what, 3/8 inch? Below that, it's typically necessary to use the 30-to-20 collet adapter. With this batch of collets, that's not necessary.
I have not yet explored the option of having #20 KT collets manufactured, but if I'm able to recoup my investment in these ones, I would like to place an order for those, as well. I have a universal milling attachment for my machine, which requires the smaller KT20 collet. When the machine came into my possession, the #20 collet which was installed in the attachment was a fairly crude home-made aluminum piece. It would be great to have a full range of collets to replace that.
Anyway, these are listed on eBay. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to provide a link or pricing here; I just wanted to bring it to the attention of any K&T 2D owners who may be browsing this forum. Furthermore, I'm inclined to offer these at a more favorable cost to PM forum members (or anyone else who's willing to circumvent eBay's final value fees.)
Hopefully I can save a few of these machines from being retired due to lack of toolholding options.
Thanks,
Colin