Beall collet chuck tolerance?

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Dan_F

Dan_F

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
959
Location
Spokane, WA, USA.
I have a Beall collet chuck which has a run out of .0035" on my dial indicator, measuring run out on 1/4" drill rod. I had previously used it only for holding stock that had been turned round on the lathe, so I assumed any vibration was due to imperfect rounding. Now I'm trying to use it with a closed end mandrel (drill rod), and find that it vibrates with that too, and a 1/4" drill bit as well (just did that to use as a standard in case my rod was off). I'm assuming this is not typical performance.

Further testing reveals that with the 1/2" collet, the run out is about .0025", the indicator notes .003" on the outside of the chuck body itself.

With a dead center in place, run out is only .0005, so I assume this is a problem with the chuck, not my lathe.

I'm thinking I should be able to return this for a better one, can anyone verify that I should be getting better specs than this?

Thanks,

Dan
 
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If I put a piece of drill rod in mine the runout is around .0005 about 1/2" from the chuck. Measuring the chuck itself is usually not the best indication of runout.
There are two things that come to mind. Are you installing the collet in the chucks outer ring BEFORE screwing it back on? This is necessary and you should feel a little "click" when it's seated properly.
Second, the Beall chuck is supposed to seat itself on the backing plate of the headstock spindle...i.e. it should bottom out BEFORE all the spindle threads are used up. If you have a gap between the headstock spindle plate and the back of the chuck you'll need to get some kind of a big washer to take up the slack.
 
Rick---Thanks. Yes I'm loading the collet properly, and no, there is not any space between the plate and the back of the chuck.

Dan
 
I had a similar problem. Most of it came from the chuck failing to seat properly - this was caused by a metal burr on the headstock ring. Once I cleared that up the vibration became much less noticable. I still wasn't all that happy - I picked up the Woodcraft set, which seems to work a bit better - less wiggle room in the threads, I guess.

Marc
 
Most drill rod I have seen is only within 0.001 tolerance. that still leaves the chuck or collet or head stock to answer for 0.0025. Keep in mind that this has to be halved because it is a lathe (the correction is only half the run out). giving a real problem of 0.00125. from the little bit of searching I did recently on collets they are made to different tolerances and this is reflected in the price. I was quoted prices on collets that had .01 and .02mm tolerances. Just off the top of my head I would say your readings are probably right in there. Maybe just a touch on the to much side for a top dollar collet. If I should not have halved the reading because you already have then you are over 1/1000 to much run out in my thinking because I would throw out 1/1000 for the drill rod alone and give anouther 1/1000 for acceptable in the collet chuck and collet still leaving you 1.5/1000 unanswered. this could simply be a dirty collet or speck in the chuck somewhere but still to much for a Beall chuck and collet. If it is a MT chuck the problem could be a dirty taper as well.
 
I was curious so I checked the runout on my lathes spindle backing plate and I was pleasantly shocked. 0.0002, or there abouts. I couldnt believe it either. I got a little movement at first but it felt like dirt so I cleaned it. My indicator registers in .001 increments and the needle moved but it never came off the little black line.
I took the ring off my Beall and indicated to the inside where the collet seats and got 0.0005. So, those are some readings you can shoot for because we know they're doable.
Before you trade in your chuck see if your local Woodcraft or a friend has a lathe you can try it on. I haven't heard too much about Beall chucks being that far off.
If you STILL have a problem contact J.R. Beall himself. He's a member here and if you're having a problem he'd be the one to set you straight. After all it's his baby!
http://www.penturners.org/forum/member.php?u=3107
This is the link to his profile.
 
Just checked the spindle backing plate and mating surface on the chuck. No burrs, gunk, or bad boogie to be found. Spindle plate run out is nil, needle doesn't move off the line, if at all.

Thanks for the suggestions, but it looks like it's the chuck. Will pursue replacement.

Dan
 
I called CSUSA, who agreed to replace the chuck for me with o questions asked. I'm hoping mine was just an isolated case of something going awry, and that the new one will perform as expected. I'll report back after I get the new one sometime next week.

Dan
 
Got the new chuck, it's a lot better, but still has about .001" run out with drill rod, same when measuring the inside rim of the chuck body, without a collet installed.

I emailed Beall, and heard back that they only guarantee less than .005" run out. I can live with .001", but wouldn't settle for .005.

Dan
 
I purchased a Beall chuck and the runout was .008 on a mandrel just at the chuck. I called Beall and spoke to J.R. He told me to measure the runout inside the chuck (without the collet and nut). It was still .008. They sent me a new chuck.

Unfortunately the runout is still .005 I tried using a washer but it didn't help..
When I check the runout of the morse taper (just inside the opening) it is less than .001.

I don't have any idea why the runout is excessive, but it does limit the use of the chuck.
Too bad, but I still would do business with Beall. They are very responsive.

Larry
 
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