If you've bored parts in a 5C collet, you know how much of a nuisance it can be to keep the chips from falling through the slots in the collet and getting in between the tapers of the clamping surfaces.

It occurred to me today to use a hot glue gun to seal the slots. Since the 5C collet does not have a lot of flex range, the glue still seems to be flexible enough to allow the collet to collapse properly.

HU,
I'm going to wait until the BRIDE is asleep and raid her sewing/craft closet. I know she has one of those glue thingies in there somewhere.
Wish me luck.
Good to see you on this baord.:D

WMS

Hi WMS,

Yep, its even worth buying your own hot glue gun for. It works great. "Hot glue" is not glue but melted urethane, which is a rubbery sort of plastic.

I never thought of it before, but a hot glue gun could be used as an injection molder for small parts.

What an interesting idea, I'll keep that one in mind

We use silcone in the gaps of our collets. It's permanent and flexible.

Originally posted by David
We use silcone in the gaps of our collets. It's permanent and flexible.

Hey, no fair, David! You planned ahead. I needed my collet sealed in 30 seconds :D

We have used silicon for a number of years but here is one for you,Thru spindle collant on mill,
make a plug that fits into the front of the collet with holes drilled on a tapper to direct the flow of coolant to your cutting edge.On a lathe just hook your collant line up to the back of the tool and let the coolant go thru the collet for better
toll colant and lubercation