Stock collets accuracy/reliability?

[aluomala]

I have recently ordered the AR4Pro (which I am aware ships with 1/4" and 1/2" ER20 collets). I am looking at the Amana collet set from ToolsToday (link), mainly for the 1/8" collet (to use some of the smaller bits I have acquired over the years), but I figured it wouldn't hurt to have spares and they aren't that expensive (~$25 each).

Would there be any requirement to swap out the stock collets with these Amana ones right from the get-go? Their specs (from link) are: Standard 0.0004" T.I.R. I will be doing some fairly detailed work (military badges, and fairly fine v-carving with 30 degree engraving bits) so the tighter the run out, the better, right?!

As well, has anybody had any issues with the stock collets? My only point of reference is the collets that were provided with the routers I used on my previous machine (Dewalt and Bosch lightweight models), and I never had an issue, so maybe I am just being a little overcautious. Having said that, I would prefer to be ready for the possibility and change them out immediately than to be waiting 2 or 3 days (or more: I'm in Canada, and things can sit at border for a LONG time) without being able to cut anything. Time is money, as they say.

Thanks,
Allan

[zaxis4]

Precision collets are available from "Think and Tinker.com" in Palmer Lake Colorado. I use them on my Bosch router and highly recommend them. I run 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 sizes. They basically take the runout to none. Reduce noise level also.

[aluomala]

Here is the link to the PreciseBits collet page: link

Thanks for providing that initial link (it was hard finding collets on that page, though, so I figured the least I could do is provide a direct link).

Allan

[redwood]

I've had my AR Pro6 for over 1 1/2 years and the stock collets are fine. 90% of my work, I use 1/4" bits and I have replaced my collet once, for no reason with a Amana.

[renaissance1415]

Does anyone know what replacement collet size or tool the Elie uses? Bosch, Makita, Dewalt, or

[stevem]

If you have a spindle, which would come on the Elite machine, you would use a ER20 collets. They are not the same as the ones used on a normal router. Those are model specific.
You can google them just type in ER20 collets. They are available everywhere.

[khuffman]

Does anyone know if the Axiom spindle uses ER20 course thread or fine thread? I am interested in using a musclechuck with my new machine and I want to make sure I don't order the wrong collet. Thanks

[gerry]

This is what I ordered from Amazon. Works great. ER20 Collett Nut.

[savannahdan]

I bought some of the Precise Bits collets and chucks to use on a Bosch 1617EVS with a Shark CNC. They are great and the kit I bought included some ColletCare (Son of Colletcare) cleaner/lube. I have a set of ER20 collets that I'll try with my Axiom and see how they fair. These are cheap ones but are supposed to have a tight tolerance. If they prove not so good I'll reach out the Precise Bits. Since collets are a maintenance item I'll probably be buying some from them anyway. I was using a Hitachi router in my router table a few days ago and the chuck let go of the bit in it. When I pulled it apart things look pretty nasty. Cleaned the collet, chuck and router spindle with ColletCare and got the job completed. But, I just about wasted a spectacular piece of wood in the process.