WW Collet Sets
Collets provide a quick, easy method of mounting cylindrical parts or bar stock in the lathe with a great deal of centering accuracy. Each collet is actually a small, precision 3-jaw chuck that fits into a special tapered adapter in the headstock. A drawbar that passes through the headstock and threads into the backside of the collet is used to draw the collet up into the tapered adapter. The adapter causes the jaws of the collet to close down, gripping the part to be machined. Typically, collets provide a very accurate part mounting system, but each size collet can accommodate only a small range of diameters of approximately ±.001″ (.02mm).
WW collets differ from milling collets in that they have a hole all the way through the collet and drawbar. The maximum diameter stock that can pass entirely through the collet is 3/16″ or 4.5mm. The WW collets that are larger than this diameter are sometimes referred to as “pot” chucks.
The Sherline WW collet set includes a WW style collet taper adapter, a drawbar, and a set of five WW collets. These collets are manufactured by Sherline and are built to standard WW specifications; however, we have come across collets that are called WW and will not fit our drawbar and adapter. Be sure to check WW collets made by other manufacturers to be sure they fit our adapter before you purchase them. Sherline manufactures a slightly larger .315″ adapter and drawbar set that will accommodate some of these other brands.
Collet Accuracy
These collets have a maximum runout of .002″ or less. If the WW collet adapter is trued in as suggested in the instructions, it will run dead true. This will allow the collet runout to be at its best. Collet sizes above 3/16″ (4.5mm), considered pot chucks, are not bored through. They are only bored .260″ deep and depending on your setup and length of the part, you may experience greater runout further away from the front of the collet.
5-piece collet set includes:
- WW Collet Adapter*
- Drawbar & 3/8″ Knockout Bar
- Set of 5 Collets:
Inch set: 1/16″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, and 5/16″
Metric set: 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, and 6.0 mm
*NOTE: Our WW collet adapter does not have a keyway pin for the collets. Our customers have been using our WW collets on our lathes without a key pin for over forty years without any problems.
Other Collet Sets
Sherline also offers sets that include a wider selection of collets. It includes 17-inch size collets from 1/16 to 5/16″, while the metric set includes 14 metric collets from 1.5 mm to 8.0 mm. These sets come in an oak box with a divider that has extra holes for more collets should you add them later. It also includes a drawbar, a collet adapter, knockout bar, two collet pot chucks, and a collet blank.
The largest set we offer includes 78 collets from 0.3 mm to 8.0 mm by 0.1 mm increments. This comes in an oak box with 96 holes in case you add some inch sizes but does not include the adapter, drawbar or other accessory items in the sets described above.
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| Part No. | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Common Parts | ||
| 11570 | Knock Out Bar | 1 |
| 11580 | WW Collet Adapter | 1 |
| 11590 | Collet Drawbar | 1 |
| 1160 Collets (Inch) | ||
| 116004 | 1/16″ (.0625) WW Collet | 1 |
| 116008 | 1/8″ (.1250) WW Collet | 1 |
| 116012 | 3/16″ (.1875) WW Collet | 1 |
| 116016 | 1/4″ (.2500) WW Collet | 1 |
| 116020 | 5/16″ (.3125) WW Collet | 1 |
| 1178 Collets (Metric) | ||
| 117820 | 2.0mm (.0787) WW Collet | 1 |
| 117830 | 3.0mm (.1181) WW Collet | 1 |
| 117840 | 4.0mm (.1575) WW Collet | 1 |
| 117850 | 5.0mm (.1969) WW Collet | 1 |
| 117860 | 6.0mm (.2362) WW Collet | 1 |
Related products
- 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", 11/64", 3/16", 13/64", 7/32", 15/64", 1/4", 17/64", 9/32", 19/64", 5/16"
- 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 5.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm, 6.5 mm, 7.0 mm, 7.5 mm, 8.0 mm
- WW collet adapter*
- Drawbar & 3/8" Knockout Bar
- 3/4" collet pot chuck
- 1" collet pot chuck
- 2 WW collet blanks, large & small head
- 1/8" clamping pin
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Inch Collets: Part numbers begin with 1160, followed by two digits representing the size in 64ths of an inch.
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Example: P/N 116013 is 13/64"; P/N 116016 is 1/4" (16/64").
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Metric Collets: Part numbers begin with 1178, followed by two digits representing the size in 0.1 mm increments.
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Example: P/N 117813 is 1.3 mm.
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Inch sizes from 1/64" to 5/16", in 64th-inch increments.
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Metric sizes from 0.3 mm to 8.0 mm, in 0.1 mm increments.


Deluxe WW Collet Sets
This set contains a complete selection of 17 (14 for the metric set) Sherline WW collets, including a blank, 3/4" and 1" pot chucks with dowel pin, an adapter, drawbar, and a knockout bar. It comes in a high-quality wood box constructed with finger joint corners that has a brass latch and hinges. A machined wood insert locates each part, plus a drawing in the lid reminds you where each piece goes to keep things organized. Extra holes are provided should you want to add additional collets to suit your particular needs. This set is a handsome and useful package for the serious miniature machinist.
Inch Collet Sizes:These collets have a maximum runout of .002" or less. If the WW collet adapter is trued in as suggested in the instructions, it will run dead true. This will allow the collet runout to be at its best. Collet sizes above 3/16" (4.5mm), considered pot chucks, are not bored through. They are only bored .260" deep and depending on your setup and length of the part, you may experience greater runout further away from the front of the collet.
Each set includes:*NOTE: Our WW collet adapter does not have a keyway pin for the collets. Our customers have been using our WW collets on our lathes without a key pin for over forty years without any problems.
REPLACEMENT INSERT CARDS: If you have damaged or lost your insert card, you can download a new one from the Instructions tab above. Then print it out, cut it to size using the crop mark guides, and insert it back into the box lid.


Individual WW Collets
Collets offer a fast and accurate way to mount cylindrical parts or bar stock in a lathe. Each collet functions like a miniature precision 3-jaw chuck and fits into a tapered adapter mounted in the headstock. A drawbar passes through the headstock and threads into the rear of the collet, pulling it into the adapter. This action causes the collet jaws to close and securely grip the workpiece. Collets are known for their exceptional centering accuracy, but each collet size accommodates only a limited diameter range—typically ±.001" (0.02 mm).
WW Collets vs. Milling Collets
Unlike milling collets, WW collets feature a through-hole, allowing material to pass completely through both the collet and drawbar. The maximum diameter stock that can pass through is 3/16" (4.5 mm), although WW collets are available in sizes up to 5/16" (8.0 mm). Collets larger than the through-hole capacity are sometimes referred to as “pot chucks,” as they are only bored to a depth of approximately .260".
Collet Accuracy
Sherline WW collets are precision-made and have a maximum runout of .002" or less. When the WW collet adapter is properly trued as recommended in the instructions, runout is minimized, providing optimal accuracy. Pot chucks (collets larger than 3/16" or 4.5 mm) are not bored through and may exhibit increased runout if your part extends far beyond the front of the collet.
Logical Part Numbering
Sherline collets are organized by size for easy identification:
Compatibility and Specifications
Sherline WW collets are manufactured in-house to standard WW specifications but are not hardened. The shank diameter is .312–.313", and the thread is .275-40. While some third-party WW collets may not fit properly, Sherline offers an optional .315" adapter and drawbar set (P/N 1163) to accommodate select 8 mm collets from other manufacturers.
Available Sizes
Sherline WW collets are offered in:
Special inch sizes up to .320" can be custom ordered with approximately a 3-week lead time. Please contact us for details.
Quck Order
If you are ordering a lot of different size collets please use the quick order table below to make it easier!





