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Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 5:35 pm
by SteveM
I saw a good deal on a quillmaster for the Bridgeport M head, so I grabbed it.

Not like I needed to have it, but like everything else, better get while the gettin's good.

Question is, what the heck collet does it take?

The diameter for the collet body is about 0.330 diameter, the opening for the tapered end is about 0.420 and the 5/16x24 thread is fixed inside the spindle.

I looked at it and thought "how do you tighten the collet?", and then found this picture:
QuillmasterCollet.png
which shows flats on the collet, so it is tightened from the face.

The little cover is to access a hole in the spindle to hold the spindle while you tighten the collet.

Anyone know what these collets are called?

And how does it actually clamp? I don't see any split lines.

The Bridgeport catalog shows the quillmaster and under the specs, it has a space for collet number and it's blank.

Steve

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 7:22 pm
by NP317
Look carefully at the photo and you should see 2 split lines 180 degrees apart, parallel to the flats.
Interesting.
~RN

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 7:50 pm
by spro
These are "Q" collets. They can be 1/8" or max 3/16" to drive the QRA attachment.

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:45 pm
by SteveM
NP317 wrote:Look carefully at the photo and you should see 2 split lines 180 degrees apart, parallel to the flats.
Interesting.
DOH - OK, I can see them now.
spro wrote:These are "Q" collets. They can be 1/8" or max 3/16" to drive the QRA attachment.
Well, google searches don't seem to find them, so it might be an interesting project once I get the mill up and running.

Steve

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:16 am
by spro
These collets were expensive a few years ago. A QuillMaster attachment to an "M" head was unseen. It is obviously made to take the QRA and lower HP as the "M" / 1/2-3/4 HP is actually better than ...well can't say that.. Only that a J head with more power can eat that attachment in a bind.
I was looking at the pix where a guy took his all apart. He cleaned all the grease out, so you can really see the gears and how they made it. It is a total work, an astounding piece of engineering to this day when we think back. They run very fast and can be damaged in a minute but they did so much inside work I can't tell you.

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:14 am
by SteveM
Actually, I found some pics of the collets:

Image
spro wrote:I was looking at the pix where a guy took his all apart.
If you have links to those pictures, please post them.

Steve

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:41 pm
by spro
When you're on ebay , just type 112654350124
It isn't a complete disassembly but I'd never seen a seller remove all the grease and stuff to note the condition of the individual gears and bearings.

Easier to post a link than it is to type in the numbers.

H


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bridgeport-Qui ... SwXrdaFwmJ

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 1:38 pm
by stephenc
I like to Learn so ..... what is the quill master used for ?

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 7:32 pm
by SteveM
stephenc wrote:I like to Learn so ..... what is the quill master used for ?
The quillmaster accessory, and it's own accessory, the QRA are used to get into tight places.

Like this:
Image

Although the person that approved those pictures for the catalog didn't realize that you can't get it into the position in the lower left.

Imagine trying to get that far down into a pocket - you'd need a 6" long end mill, and then you'd have to worry about flex and chatter.

You can see a lot more uses here:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/bridgeport/page2.html

I didn't need it, nor did I foresee a use for it, but I got such a screaming deal, I had to grab it.

Steve

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 7:51 pm
by stephenc
Thank you

I can see where that thing would be worth it's weight in gold the few times a person did need it .

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:13 pm
by SteveM
stephenc wrote:I can see where that thing would be worth it's weight in gold the few times a person did need it .
Yea, I can see where I will end up using it maybe 3 times in my life, but that will cover the cost of buying it, I got is so cheap.

Problem is that the shop is filling up with stuff I will probably use maybe 3 times in my life!

Steve

Re: Bridgeport Quillmaster Collets

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:46 am
by Comstock-Friend
I'm behind in my reading and so last night came across your collets in an article by Guy Hanson in Digital Machinist, Winter 2009, Volume 4, No. 4, Pages 29-30. Drawing and the G code to machine them on a Tormach Duality lathe in a Tormach mill!

(Appears they are the same collet for M-Head and J-Head BP Quilll Masters.)

John