FILENAMES: final_R8_collet_release.txt.JPG DESCRIPTION: This is a picture of gadget to get R8 collets out of the spindle. Posted by Walter West . The following description was provided: ================================================================= This is a description of the use and how to make the final R 8 collet release that can be used on Bridgeport mills and perhaps on other machines that use R 8 collets. The object of this device is avoid hammering to release the collet when changing them. I did not like to hammer the collet loose because it could possibly damage the very pricy bearing in the Bridgeport head. This is a very simple system to make and I have used it sucessfully for many months. It works because the R 8 collet (at least on my J Head) sticks down from the spindle about 1/8 ". Taking advantage of this area, I machined a tapered washer to fit this area and a loose fitting reactor coller above it to provide an 1/8" space to force the collet down by a simple lever system without putting any load on the bearings. The tapered ring washer is made from a steel washer 2-1/2" dia about 1/8 " thick. I bored the ID at 9 degrees on a side to 1.217" of the small dia. Next made a collar 2-1/2" OD and about .730" thick, bored to a loose fit on the spindle of 1-7/8" ID. The fixture shown at the lower right is a holder of two of those hex base screwdriver blades so cominly available. The sharp edges are hand ground to smooth them. To use this system the collar is put on the spindle just tight enough to keep it from falling down. Maybe a rubber plug under the setscrew would provide enough friction to avoid overtightning. The the tapered collar is put on the collet and a correct size end mill inserted. Insert the collet in the mill and tighten as usual. The taper ring must be free to turn to work correctly. Now go ahead with your mill job. To release the collet, unscrew the drawrod a coupe turns, Now insert the screwdriver lever device in the about 1/8" space and push down the handle end levering the collet out. Unscrew the drawbar and take the collet with the taper ring on it off. The ring is usually lightly stuck on the collet preventing the endmill from falling out. A light tap with a plastic scredriver handle breaks it free. I have used this system a lot with several diferent collet mfgs sucessfully. Walt West