What are collet chucks used for in machining and workholding?

Collet chucks hold round parts, rotating cutting tools, or EDM electrodes by gripping them evenly around their entire outer diameter. As the chuck closes, a slotted steel sleeve called a collet squeezes tight against an internal taper, applying balanced 360-degree clamping pressure. This uniform grip keeps the part centered with high accuracy, helps reduce chatter and vibration during cutting, and holds finished surfaces securely without leaving jaw marks.

In modular setups, collet chucks mount onto chucks fitted with drawbars, spigots, or pull studs. This setup allows operators to locate and preset round workpieces offline on a granite table, then move them directly into a mill, lathe, or EDM without losing center coordinates. The slim, compact nose also gives cutting tools close reach around small parts, reducing tool stick-out and improving clearance in 3-axis and 5-axis setups.