[FGS]

I'm trying to cut a keyhole in my material. I have the gcode, but the collets that I have (2) won't accept a 1/4 shank. I have a Chinese 6040 with an 800w spindle. I need to find a key hole bit with a smaller shank or different collets to accept the 1/4 shank. A while ago I purchased some collets from Amazon, but they were all to big for my spindle. Does anyone know where I can get either of these items?

[SEK22Hornet]

I'm going to throw a couple things out here - first, if your collet stays in the spindle cap when when you unscrew it, I'm going to guess that you have an ER type collet. Most of the 800 watt spindles I just saw on ebay have ER type collets. These come in several sizes starting at ER8 and going up from there. This is the outside size of the collet - not the size tool it holds. From what I saw just now when I did a little looking, I'd guess you have an ER 11 spindle. If so, you can get collets for it on ebay or amazon for about a buck each or sets run about $10 and up. The cap of the spindle may be marked as well.Only a guess on my part you really need to find out what type of collet your spindle takes.

[FGS]

I'm going to throw a couple things out here - first, if your collet stays in the spindle cap when when you unscrew it, I'm going to guess that you have an ER type collet. Most of the 800 watt spindles I just saw on ebay have ER type collets. These come in several sizes starting at ER8 and going up from there. This is the outside size of the collet - not the size tool it holds. From what I saw just now when I did a little looking, I'd guess you have an ER 11 spindle. If so, you can get collets for it on ebay or amazon for about a buck each or sets run about $10 and up. The cap of the spindle may be marked as well.Only a guess on my part you really need to find out what type of collet your spindle takes.

Thanks for the reply. I do have an ER11-A clamping nut. I just order a set of collets from Amazon that says ER11, but they're all to big for the nut. They won't even fit in the shaft properly. There must be a way to replace that part of the shaft with a part that will accept larger collets. I see that they offer extensions, but not sure if that's what I'm looking for. I'll just use my router to do my keyholes until I find out what needs to be done.Thanks again

[CitizenOfDreams]

If your ER11 collets are "too big" for your ER11 nut, there is something wrong. Either the nut is not ER11, or the collets are not ER11. Got any pictures?

[ger21]

You should be able to snap the collet into the nut.

[SEK22Hornet]

I agree - here is a sketch showing the dimensions of the ER 11 collet. Hopefully you have a set of digital calipers that you measure your collets with and see what the dimensions are. If you don't the largest diameter is just under 1/2" so it should be pretty easy to see if your collets are actually er11.

[RCaffin]

. I just order a set of collets from Amazon that says ER11, but they're all to big for the nut. They won't even fit in the shaft properly.
Huh ? ? ?
I suspect you have not understood how to load a collet into the nut. Yes, they snap in and out: that is one of their major features. Hunt around on the web and you will find instructions.

Cheers
Roger

[FGS]

Thanks for the reply. I do have an ER11-A clamping nut. I just order a set of collets from Amazon that says ER11, but they're all to big for the nut. They won't even fit in the shaft properly. There must be a way to replace that part of the shaft with a part that will accept larger collets. I see that they offer extensions, but not sure if that's what I'm looking for. I'll just use my router to do my keyholes until I find out what needs to be done.Thanks again

Thanks for the help. I now know that the 11 is the mm width of the skirt of the collet. Even though I ordered ER11 collets from Amazon, that's not what I received. I just tried again and think this time it might be the ones I'm needing.