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Collet rack, repurpose style

OccupantRJ

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May 15, 2009
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Eastern North Carolina
Decided to make an R8 collet rack for some of my most used Bridgeport accessories, but this time it is in a form that a guy without a brake could build.

I had this piece of powder coated 16 gage steel salvaged from some unknown source, that already had a couple bends in it. I kept eyeing this thing, trying to figure what it would be good for, then the thought hit me, since in one of my past threads, someone commented that he needed a brake to make himself some tool racks.

This is to show that by using the imagination, that's not necessarily so. By the time I started taking pics, I had already drilled pilot holes for the 1 inch hole saw. These were enlarged to 1/4", and a solid rod pilot was used in the handheld hole saw to prevent wandering. (Staged pic). Drilling the holes was a lot of work, but I wanted to show that it could be done without expensive equipment. I cheated and drilled the mounting holes with the drill press, since I wanted to try it out from being flooded. (motor bearings needed, spindle OK).

A few coats of Rustoleum Sail Blue paint were applied, then the unit was mounted on the wall beside my Bridgeport. The forward center hole was cut out to hang the deadblow, and the other two were left as is for chuck keys and such. If a guy used his imagination, I can picture a corner section from an old washer or drier coming into play in this fashion.
 

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OP
O

OccupantRJ

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More pics. Hang 'dem tools up!
 

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A_Pmech

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IL
Looks very nice! Needs a place to put the hold down kit though. :D

If you haven't already, take a razor blade and cut the paint out from around the "rim" of the collet holes. I painted my collet chuck box last year and until I razored them, every time I took out an ER collet I have to clean the paint off the periphery! ANNOYING!
 
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OccupantRJ

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Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
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Location
Eastern North Carolina
I've already mounted the hold down kit to the side of the mill, but I've still got another set and a box of step blocks to store in some manner. I'll check tomorrow and see if my paint is also lifting around the holes.
 
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OccupantRJ

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Messages
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Location
Eastern North Carolina
Found a good use for that empty hole on the left front side of the collet rack. Made a J bolt and hung the drawbar wrench there.
 

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