4S collets?

Can anyone tell me about 4S collets. A lathe on ebay uses them and I've never heard of 'em. Are they still available? Could a substitute be used? Thanks.
nialmac

4s or 4ns Collets?

4S collets

The ebay lathe is described as using 4S collets. Perhaps the seller doesn't know what he is talking about?
nialmac

A link to the auction might be nice. No way to have any idea what the lathe is or if the seller is "confused"

OK I did some research and there was a lathe manufacture called Stark

http://www.lathes.co.uk/stark/

The lathe on ebay is a Stark #4 Hand Operated bench Lathe. Looks to be a nice little plain turning lathe with a set of collets, chucks, turret adaptor for the tailstock etc. Similair to an Elgin, Hardinge Spilt Bed or a Rivett. Be a nice small lathe for model work and the like. But as Don would say, "Why would anybody want a lathe without a leadscrew?" The bed diminsions are probably in the same ballpark as the other makes of split bed lathes so accesories off of ebay such as turrets, cross slides and tool hoders should either fit or be easily addaptable. I see the seller also has a Stark Horizontal Bench Mill w/Vertical Head listed. If I was bidding I'd most likely try for both at the same time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stark-No-4-Hand...ryZ97230QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Now, just how close are 4S to 4C collets?

http://shopswarf.orcon.net.nz/collet.html

4s Info

http://shopswarf.orcon.net.nz/collet.html
http://shopswarf.orcon.net.nz/colletap.html

Thanks guys. Actually I was interested in the Stark miller and not the lathe. However the difficulty of getting 4S collets changes my mind. Really, if I could figure a way to make a chuck fit I'd still be interested.
nialmac

I happened to get a set of 4S collets with a purchase I made. In case anyone is interested, they are listed here - 4S Collet Set, 19 pieces, 4 are specialty, Stark Lathe | eBay