Releasing Collets

If you have issues in releasing collets, this little guide should hopefully help you! Should you need more assistant please call us on 01722 711988 and one of our friendly staff members will be able to help you.

What is a collet?

A collet is a type of holding device used in machining, woodworking, and other precision manufacturing processes. Its primary function is to securely grip and hold a tool or workpiece in place while it is being operated on by a machine or a worker. Collets are commonly used in applications such as milling machines, lathes, grinders, and other machining tools.
Collets typically have a cylindrical shape with a tapered inner surface that matches the taper of the tool shank or workpiece being held. When the collet is tightened or closed, it compresses around the tool or workpiece, creating a strong and precise grip. This ensures that the tool or workpiece remains fixed and does not move during the machining process, resulting in accurate and consistent outcomes.
Collets come in various sizes and designs to accommodate different types of tools and workpieces. They are often made from materials like steel, brass, or other alloys to provide durability and resistance to wear and tear.
A collet is a critical tool-holding component in precision machining and manufacturing, enabling secure and precise holding of tools and workpieces during various machining operations.

How to change a collet:

Changing a collet in a micromotor handpiece involves a few steps to ensure safe and proper replacement. Micromotor handpieces are commonly used in various tasks, such as precision finishing and other precision applications. Here’s a general guide on how to change a collet in a micromotor handpiece:

• Replacement collet
• Wrench or collet-changing tool (if provided with the handpiece)
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Workbench or stable surface

Steps:

1. Safety First: Before you begin, make sure you’re wearing appropriate safety gear, such as safety glasses or goggles, to protect your eyes from any debris.
2. Power Off: Ensure that the micromotor unit is turned off and unplugged to prevent accidental activation while you’re working on it.
3. Examine the Handpiece: Take a look at your micromotor handpiece to understand how the collet is currently installed and how it’s held in place. Some handpieces may have a wrench slot, while others might have a collet-changing tool specifically designed for that model.
4. Release the Current Collet:
   • If your handpiece has a wrench slot: Insert the appropriate wrench into the slot and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the collet nut. Keep turning until the nut is loose enough to be removed by hand.
   • If your handpiece has a collet-changing tool: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to use the tool to release the collet.
5. Remove the Old Collet: Once the collet nut is sufficiently loosened, carefully slide the old collet out of the handpiece. If it’s stuck, gently wiggle it back and forth while pulling to remove it.
6. Insert the New Collet: Take your new collet and ensure it’s the correct size for the tool shank you’ll be using. Insert the new collet into the handpiece’s collet holder. Make sure it goes in smoothly and seats properly.
7. Tighten the Collet Nut:
   • If using a wrench: Hold the new collet in place with one hand while inserting the wrench and turning it clockwise to tighten the collet nut. Make sure it’s snug, but avoid over-tightening, which could damage the collet or the tool shank.
   • If using a collet-changing tool: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to use the tool to secure the collet.
8. Check Tightness: Gently tug on the tool shank to ensure the collet is securely tightened. It shouldn’t move or wiggle within the collet when properly tightened.
9. Test:
   • With the micromotor still turned off, test the handpiece to ensure the collet holds the tool shank securely in place.
   • If everything looks and feels secure, you can proceed with using the micromotor for your intended tasks.

Other products we recommend:

Lighting is very important when doing detailed work, and changing collets, see below what we recommend.

More Information 

Moleroda supplies a range of Polishing tools for surface finishing. For more information on polishing give us a call – we have experts here who have been polishing for years! 

And take a look at our YouTube page for videos of us hard at work finishing.