Collet grease without mess

Less is more

Collet nuts need a very small amount of grease on the thread, not on the taper. Grease on the taper collects MDF dust and turns into paste that ruins runout. A thin smear on the nut thread once a month is enough for most shops.

Make it easy for the night shift

Keep the grease in a small labelled tub in the care set, with a brush, not a finger. Put a dot on the care card when it is done. If the night shift has to find the grease in a drawer of paint tins, it will not happen.

Coastal note

Near the sea, a very light film of oil on spare collets keeps rust away. Wipe it off before use. Inland, store them dry and clean.

The slip we see most

Spraying general lubricant into the taper, which feels helpful but turns MDF dust into paste.

How you know it is working

Collets come out clean at shift close and the nut threads turn smoothly without forcing.

Written by Thabo Molefe, Plasma Cell Lead. Thabo specs the plasma tables, fixture plates and consumable shelves for steel shops.