More mastercarver questions (Collets)

[wisardd1]

I got the mastercarver lightening fast for the other side of the country. Impressive. But, here is my new problem:

OK, I received my combo unit. I can't tell what I have here with the micro pro handpiece. I can't tell if it has a collet or not. It has what looks like an rca plug coming out the top as it shows in the directions. The directions say to turn to R and remove or slip the 3/32 collet in or out. Do the collets fit over the rca looking nipple? Is it suppose to slide out of the unit thus leaving a hole for a 1/8 bit? It won't come out if that is the case, although I did not try to force the issue. Do I need to buy both collets and do they slip over the rca looking nipple. I am lost, frustrated, and at my wits end.

should have bought a foredom! dang

[TreeWizard]

I don't have the mastercarver but I've never seen a collet that slips over anything. The way they work is to flex against the shaft on the bur you are using.

All that I've ever used have a crush nut that has to be removed from the driveshaft of the tool, the collet is inserted into the hollow part of the shaft and the crush nut is re-threaded onto the driveshaft. The bur is inserted and as the nut is tightened, the collet is crushed making contact with the shaft of the bur holding it into place.

[papasar]

Sounds like your holding a wood burning handpiece. Is your combo unit for both wood burning and carving?
Bill K.

[BobT]

The micro pro has one collet, it is very long. The tool normally comes with the 1/8 collet.

To use smaller bits you use adapters. They are short, and go inside the collet. I use 3/32 and 1/16 adapters on a regular basis.

The adapters don't come with the tool. They are extra.

Even though you can unscrew the collet, it won't do you any good. Get the adapters.

BobT

[wisardd1]

So, does this mean I have no collet at all ?

[BobT]

They normally come with the 1/8 collet installed. Twist the ring to open the collet, insert bit, twist the ring in the opposite direction. Collet is closed, bit is secured. Go carve something.

[wisardd1]

I know this is redundant, but let me state it again. The very tip of the unit looks like an rca male plug. There is no hole to put a bit it. I understand the remove and secure twist function. Unless that rca looking plug is a blank and has to be pulled out I am at a loss. When I move the ring to R and try to pull out the rca looking plug, it won't budge. So, what I am saying is there is no hole to put a bur in, period. I know a picture would help, so I will try later to take one.

[BobT]

Aw, now I remember. When I got mine, they had some kind of a little pin (rod or whatever) in the collet, I assume to support it and protect it.

If you open the collet and tap the tool, I think it will fall out. That should take care of the issue. If it doesn't, let me know.

You will get there. If you don't get it now, let me know. I will send you my toll free number and you can call and talk to me. I may sound like tech support. I am not, just another carver.

BobT

[wisardd1]

Yep, it is a pin. I moved the selector to R and had to use pliers to get it out. Now it won't go back in, so there is definitley something wrong here.

dale

[BobT]

Can you put a 1/8 bit in the collet? It may be a little snug going in. You shouldn't have to force it, just a tiny bit snug.