Review on Enhanced Precision in Workholding - Techniks Super Precision Collet Accuracy for Industrial Power & Hand Tools by Darian Massey

After more than 30 years as a CNC operator/programmer I spent the last 15 years in another field before retiring and buying a CNC router for my garage/hobby. I needed more collets and checked the ones listed at Revain. If you can buy a "set" for $25 I don't even have to look at it, it's bullshit. You can't buy steel at this price and heat treat it, you can precision machine it single handedly. A lot of people praise cheaper collets, then I see a whole line "That was in my tailstock" telling me that collet hasn't been tested. The drill in the tailstock "FINDS its own center, so to speak", ie accuracy is not so important with the tailstock. PROBLEM. The reason I bought this and two other copies of this brand is because 0.0003 is no longer available. Is it important. 15.00 for a collet is a good price. Paid more than 30 years ago! If you want to drill a hole with a lathe/tailstock, buy a cheap one or have it 3D printed. If you want to make something nice, clean, but real stuff on a milling machine, you pay extra. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. Don't let the collet be the weak link in your CNC router. You've spent thousands on a machine, don't skimp on tools. Another note to think about, those cheaper collets and I've seen this in the machine shop, if that bit stops turning and your spindle doesn't, then your collet, bit, collet nut, spindle can and will "weld"" to each other. I think a new spindle costs significantly more than a 'good' set of collets. Buy them with confidence.