Threaded Mandrel for Unimat SL Chucks

[PJs]

Great that you are bringing the collets to the forefront. I've had the LMS spindle set on my wish list for a long time now and appreciate the feedback on quality. I found a 18pc set of German made ones with spindle holder and wrench for ~$130 on ebay a while back but he sold out, and I had other things to take care of. They have a US subsiderary to buy direct from up in Portland or Vancouver...just not positive they aren't metric equivalents¿ They have a 1/2" draw thread but like you say it's a pretty easy make. Still would need a 3/8-16 for the LMS. Either way Collets of any type are on my wish list for sure.

I get the flange Idea but like the extra bed length...hence my 14" if I ever get it done. The idea of boring the backing plate 3 thou over is real good. Been thinking about Mr. Pete's video a while back about the expensive centering 3 jaw chuck he put on his Hardinge and wondering if a cam type shoulder screw could maybe do a similar job on the peanut?? A 5C spindexer has been on my list as well but a set of collets are twice the price of the indexer but give lots of opportunity for lots of uses.

Personally I still prefer the ER32's even with the size limitations, as I have experienced them first hand when I designed and built the "Drill Machines" to the tolerances I had to work with. I used them on the 4 Desouter electro-pneumatic drills used on the headstock. The largest used a 1" insert type ball end mill into stainless, inconel and hasteloy. The 2 small drills used carbide circuit board drills...never an issue running 2 shifts for about 6 months then back to 40 hours for years as far as I know.

Great Idea on the unhardened MT reducer...can't wait to see how it works out. Good Luck and thanks for the quality topic! ~PJ