Just blew $120 on a 'universal' collet set that doesn't fit my old Bridgeport's spindle.

Ryan Hunt · 2026-04-03T15:40:07.151177+00:00

It was a total impulse buy online, and now I'm stuck with a box of shiny paperweights, so what's your go-to spot for actual compatible tooling for older machines?

elizabethwhite4mo ago

Nah, those universal sets work fine if you know how to properly indicate them in.

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owens.nancy6mo ago

Ever think about checking with a local machine shop that's closing down or upgrading? They often sell off old tooling for cheap. Got my last real R8 collet from a retired guy cleaning out his garage shop. Those online universal sets never match the weird old tapers.

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rosep876mo ago

That $120 sting is real... but honestly, those universal sets are junk for anything but the newest machines. Check out a local industrial supplier, they usually have dusty boxes of the right R8 collets in the back. My buddy found a whole set for his old mill at a place called Tri-State Bearing. Might get lucky and they'll take your shiny set in trade.

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