I bought a whack machine unfortunately. The bits/mills don't align right unless you use a 1/4 im every case, but I have other sizes like 1/8ths etc. 1/8 sizes nerver center right and I am spending way too much time trying to get it to center in the cheap collet system they put on here. I may be able to stick a drill chuck in it, but I lose some Z to do that. The spindle has a 3/4 inch threaded shaft designed to fit a collet inside it.


Thanks for any ideas

hmm not quite following you. What do you mean by "not centering"? Where? Do you mean the tool doesn't center in the collet or the collet doesn't center in the spindle? I still can't even picture that unless you're using the wrong collet. Could it be that you only have a 1/4" collet and try to use it for other size tools too?

JR

the collet is probably fine, the point of the tool is not spinning perfectly, it goes back and forth when I try to use an 1/8 tool in an 1/8 collet. i need a solid way to mount tools so they are perfectly centered when they hit the metal.

Are you sure you are installing the collet properly?
I have seen where the collets snap into the nut and then it is inserted and tightened.

What Ken says above plus inspect the collet for chips, etc and clear them if necessary. Its also a good idea to smear a little lubricant on the collet and the spindle taper itself so the collet slides easier when you tighten it. What type of collet is it? I have had good experience with Rego-Fix ER collets. The other "generic" types I've tried lose the tool from time to time.

JR

Ok here is the problem. I bought a MAXNC 10 Cl brand new a few weeks ago. I have spent more time trying to get mills/engravers/bits straight in the collets than I have spent actually working. I can't express how mad I am at this this system, today I just finally smashed all three collets with a hammer so I'd be forced to not try to " make it work" any longer. This day is down the drain wiuth trying a hundred tricks to get a method of making the tool be straight and not wobble at the tip. I know how to work a collet, and these just are terrible systems that come with the MAXNC. The spindle appears to be fine, but putting in either a 1/4 or or 1/8 collet is a trial and error till you get it half way decent. Tonight a 1/4 mill just fell out while trying to cut a part. THEY JUST DON'T WORK.

On 1/4 tools, you hold the tool in place while you hand tighten it, then you reach for your wrenches to tighten it up,when you touch the spindle hex nut the mill falls out 90% of the time before you can start to tighten it.


I now am going to bail on their whack collet system and look for a new system that can be relied on. The spindle has 3/4 fine threads on it so if anyone can recommend a system to attach to it please let me know. I suppose I am open to replacing the spindle as well a this point just to get up and running. Thanks for any suggestions for a replacement/retrofit.

Sorry to vent, but this is beyond frustrating losing several whole days trying to get a machine to work that is brand new.

Sounds a bit strange to me. I checked the Maxnc site, but it really does not divulge any of the details of what collet system they are using. Is it ER 16?

I have personally witnessed people abusing these collets simply because they have never read the instructions on how to assemble the collet into the nut before putting tools in and screwing the nut onto the spindle.

If you have 1 collet that always works (runs true) and others that wont, I am lead to believe that the collets themselves are just crap.
Can you buy precision ground collets of the same style (you didn't mention what style they are).
The only spindle mount I can think of like that (3/4 UNF) is a drill chuck.
You may have to make a custom spindle nose to use other than the OEM tooling.
Another option would be to have all of your crap collets reground true to 1 size up.

Hello. It looks like you might be using mm collets with inch tools. Try true inch collets.

JR