Collet won't open :(

[trialanderror]

I just got my kx3 cnc a couple days ago and was machining some wood to test out some stuff and the 4mm endmill locked up and started coming out of the collet. I am now trying to open the collet and almost broke my wrist trying to turn it open (yes I am pulling in the right direction). Weirdly enough, I was able to push the end mill back up the collet by tapping the bottom softly with a wrench (it was lose enough). But I still can't open the collet. Sprayed some WD40 on it, going to try again in 20 minutes or so. Hoping there are some other suggestions. I am bending the rod that I stick in the spindle for leverage.

[trialanderror]

wd40 not working

[holbieone]

what type of Collet

[trialanderror]

Got it from Sieg with my machine.

[trialanderror]

I might be calling it the wrong thing. Its the thing that holds the collets? Collet holder? Chuck?

[Memran]

Picture?

I guess you could be referring to the drawbar mechanism.
You'll need to unscrew the drawbar from the top of the head, and tap it down with a mallet to release the collet.

Or you could be talking about something else.

Also sounds like you are not using the correct size collet for your end mill.

[trialanderror]

Its not the drawbar, already figured out the tap thing. Its the thing that goes into the drawbar and holds the collet which holds the tool. The collet was the right size since the tool wouldn't fit in the smaller one. I think it just jammed because it was milling the wood too deep and must have got stuck and then the collet holder moved clockwise with the drill bit for a second or so at full power locking it in place perhaps.

[Memran]

So its an ER collet?

ER Collets & Collet Chucks - Arc Euro Trade

If so, you just got to hold the spindle and unscrew the end of the collet chuck. Sorry, I can offer anything better than what you are already doing.

[trialanderror]

Yes its an ER collet. Yah I tried doing that, theres a metal rod used to help get leverage on the spindle but that bent as I was trying to take it off

[trialanderror]

Does the spindle ever lock? Or is it always free flow. If it locked it would allow me to use both hands to try to get this off.

[txcncman]

Call me an idiot.

Take the collet holder out of the spindle.

Put the collet holder in a vise connected to a sturdy work bench.

Wrench/hammer/cut the collet nut off. Whatever it takes. As long as the collet nut is attached to the collet holder, it does you absolutely no good. If you damage the collet holder or nut during disassembly, buy a new one. Buy a good one. Assuming you bought this one because it was cheap. You get what you pay for. Pay for cheap, get cheap.

So, your collet holder malfunctioned while cutting wood. What do you think it would have done if you tried to cut metal with it?

[trialanderror]

Good idea, already took it off the spindle. Will have to buy a vise, probably not a good idea to use the one for the T slot. Yah this was a cheapo chinese one, actually came with the machine