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New Kelton Handles
- Thread starter Jeff Willaford
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Where did you get them?
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Kelton website
Kelton Industries now has a website for US sales of tools not carried by US distributors. Click on the USA Online Sales text that shows at the top of the page. As I understand it that part of the site is for US sales only. The handles have been available in Europe, New Zealand and other countries for some time now.
http://www.kelton.co.nz/
Kelton Industries now has a website for US sales of tools not carried by US distributors. Click on the USA Online Sales text that shows at the top of the page. As I understand it that part of the site is for US sales only. The handles have been available in Europe, New Zealand and other countries for some time now.
http://www.kelton.co.nz/
Serious Tool has a cam-lock handle that's pretty darned cool ($95). I have two of them and the oldest has been in use for about 5 years (i think). Foam handle is comfortable and quite durable. 1/8 turn and the tool is locked. Fits 3/4" shafts and has accessory collets ($20 ea) to hold 5/8", 1/2", & 3/8" shafts.
http://www.serioustoolworks.com/woodturning-tools.php
No affiliation other than past customer.
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Owen,
I looked at the Serious camlock handles in Hartford. They are indeed nice handles. I would have bought them if I had not known about the Kelton handles becoming available in the US.
The Kelton handles have a very similar covering but use industry standard ER collets. I can even use my 1/4" homemade tools with the small handle. Other things that drew me to the Kelton handles are the ability to add shot to the larger handle if desired, a torque arresting (side) handle can be added for hollowing and the small (11") handle screws into the larger handle for a combined length of 27.5" if needed.
Did I mention the price is on par with the Serious camlock handle?
Like you... just a satisfied customer.
I looked at the Serious camlock handles in Hartford. They are indeed nice handles. I would have bought them if I had not known about the Kelton handles becoming available in the US.
The Kelton handles have a very similar covering but use industry standard ER collets. I can even use my 1/4" homemade tools with the small handle. Other things that drew me to the Kelton handles are the ability to add shot to the larger handle if desired, a torque arresting (side) handle can be added for hollowing and the small (11") handle screws into the larger handle for a combined length of 27.5" if needed.
Did I mention the price is on par with the Serious camlock handle?
Like you... just a satisfied customer.
Thanks Jeff. I'll certainly take a look at the Keltons next time I'm in the market -- they look very nice.
I have been using this handle system for a while and would put up a serious fight if anyone tried to take them away from me! I ordered a second ER25 and anti-torque handle Saturday and received them on Tuesday. With the ER I can quickly adjust the amount of tool shank exposed, with no set screws, no allen keys, no marring of the tool shank - just no hassle! I can also invert many straight tools with the business end protected inside the handle for travel. I also use the handles for things like drill bits, sanding balls on a wooden dowel, etc. In my opinion, the price is very reasonable considering the quality and versatility of the system and the fact that you are getting 3 different handles plus the anti-torque handle (which, BTW is a huge help to me in hand hollowing! Much more control.) Best handles I have ever used.
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I'm with Owen. I have four of the Serious Cam-locks and love them. The foam grips are very tough. The Kelton's look pretty nice as well.
Either way, not having to reach for a allen wrench to change a bit out is nice.
Scott
Either way, not having to reach for a allen wrench to change a bit out is nice.
Scott
Hi Scott - I think given the similarities between the two handles, a buyer wouldn't go wrong with either one. The main selling point for both is...
no allen wrench required!
Owen, Sounds like you are another convert to 'modern style handles' that make transport, sharpening etc much easier.
I think that Carole pretty much said it all. The big difference with the Kelton handles (compared to others) is, they become a system (not just a single use handle)
And by using industry standard collets (available in 1 mm increments) that each have a 1mm clamping range, that caters for different tools sizes (and are also used in some collet chucks) Allows users to source collets (if needed) where and how they like.
I hope this helps.
🙂
I think that Carole pretty much said it all. The big difference with the Kelton handles (compared to others) is, they become a system (not just a single use handle)
And by using industry standard collets (available in 1 mm increments) that each have a 1mm clamping range, that caters for different tools sizes (and are also used in some collet chucks) Allows users to source collets (if needed) where and how they like.
I hope this helps.
🙂
Hi there Everyone,
I am having a problem locating the Kelton handles. I get to their web site and click on the "Ultimate Handle" and it pops up with - this site under construction. What am I doing wrong? Can anyone help me?
I checked out Craft Supply and Woodcraft - both of which the Kelton web site says are dealers - but I do not find the Ultimate Handle.
As much as I know about working a computer, I figure I am doing something wrong here.
Thanks.
Hugh 😀
I am having a problem locating the Kelton handles. I get to their web site and click on the "Ultimate Handle" and it pops up with - this site under construction. What am I doing wrong? Can anyone help me?
I checked out Craft Supply and Woodcraft - both of which the Kelton web site says are dealers - but I do not find the Ultimate Handle.
As much as I know about working a computer, I figure I am doing something wrong here.
Thanks.
Hugh 😀
When you go to the Kelton site: http://www.kelton.co.nz/
click on the US ONLINE SALES right under distributers and newsletter headings.
This link might work: http://www.kelton.co.nz/index_cart.html
click on the US ONLINE SALES right under distributers and newsletter headings.
This link might work: http://www.kelton.co.nz/index_cart.html
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Here is a direct link
http://www.kelton.co.nz/index_store.html
There are, I think, some significant differences between what is sold as the Ultimate Handle and these new Ultimate ER Handles. In the USA, you can ONLY get these handle at the site listed above.
In Europe they are available at Dick GMBH http://www.mehr-als-werkzeug.de/page/homepage/detail.jsf but you have to do a search for Kelton because for some reason they don't show up under any logical category, including "tool handles"!
http://www.kelton.co.nz/index_store.html
There are, I think, some significant differences between what is sold as the Ultimate Handle and these new Ultimate ER Handles. In the USA, you can ONLY get these handle at the site listed above.
In Europe they are available at Dick GMBH http://www.mehr-als-werkzeug.de/page/homepage/detail.jsf but you have to do a search for Kelton because for some reason they don't show up under any logical category, including "tool handles"!
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OK - that worked. Thanks Carole and Stuart. This looks like a pretty cool system.
Hugh
Hugh
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Just ordered mine!
Thanks for the post and the urls Stuart and Carole. They will be here while we are at SWAT according to their email. Wow, that is fast.
Thanks for the post and the urls Stuart and Carole. They will be here while we are at SWAT according to their email. Wow, that is fast.
They are fast
I ordered mine on Saturday and they arrived on Tuesday! That's from NM to VA.
You are gonna love them, Bill.
I ordered mine on Saturday and they arrived on Tuesday! That's from NM to VA.
You are gonna love them, Bill.
In 2007 one of the owners of Serious came to the local club to talk about their "stuff".
I was really impressed with their tool system, as were several other members of the club. A few of which bought their handles
I thought really seriously about it, then decided that. 1) I'm a wood turner, I want wood handles 2)Switching chisels in and out of a single handle (or even a pair), just appears to me to be something that takes me away from actually turning. I'm out there to turn wood, not mess with tools.
The new Kelton system looks great, but I still have the above personal ideas
I was really impressed with their tool system, as were several other members of the club. A few of which bought their handles
I thought really seriously about it, then decided that. 1) I'm a wood turner, I want wood handles 2)Switching chisels in and out of a single handle (or even a pair), just appears to me to be something that takes me away from actually turning. I'm out there to turn wood, not mess with tools.
The new Kelton system looks great, but I still have the above personal ideas
Not a thing in the world wrong with wooden handles! I have quite a few. But I have also removed some of them so I could use them in the new handles. Why? Because I like to be able to add or remove length and weight when I need it; I like to be able to remove some tools from the handle for sharpening; tools are much easier to transport without the handle attached (or with the tool reversed and protected inside the handle); I like the option of having the torque arresting if I need it (which I often do); sometimes my hands slip or start to ache with my hard wooden handles, and last but not least, I have run out of handle sized holes in my tool rack and am too lazy to add on to it! 😀
While I do own and use one of the well known manufactured reusable handles, with one caveat I also favor making wooden handles for most of my tools bought/made unhandled. I prefer incorporating Hosaluk Inserts (image) whenever I can.
OTOH, I see significant advantages to a collet based system like these new Kelton handles, especially when you factor in the storage or additional weighting capability due to the hollow handle, or ability to extend with an additional piece. With a little ingenuity, these features could no doubt be incorporated into a wooden handle, but I'm not sure if the level of effort would balance out against the cost and convenience of the Keltons.
What I'd really like to find is a collet based system you can fit like the Hosaluk Inserts into a turner's own wooden handles, especially for tools whose tangs are smaller than the smallest size (3/8ths inch) of the Hosaluks.
EDIT: As I found out from the next post, disregard the following line which was based on an erroneous understanding on my part, but left here to put Carole's comments in context.
OTOH, I see significant advantages to a collet based system like these new Kelton handles, especially when you factor in the storage or additional weighting capability due to the hollow handle, or ability to extend with an additional piece. With a little ingenuity, these features could no doubt be incorporated into a wooden handle, but I'm not sure if the level of effort would balance out against the cost and convenience of the Keltons.
What I'd really like to find is a collet based system you can fit like the Hosaluk Inserts into a turner's own wooden handles, especially for tools whose tangs are smaller than the smallest size (3/8ths inch) of the Hosaluks.
EDIT: As I found out from the next post, disregard the following line which was based on an erroneous understanding on my part, but left here to put Carole's comments in context.
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Rick, I think the name of the handle, ER16 is confusing to some folks. ER# refers to the type of collet accepted by the handle, not the length. The ER16 accepts ER16 collets. Likewise the ER25 accepts ER25 collets.
The ER 16 is 11" long. The ER25 is 17", and can be combined with the ER16 for a total length of 28"
The ER 16 is 11" long. The ER25 is 17", and can be combined with the ER16 for a total length of 28"
Rick,
Just to help clarify some information about the ER collets, here is a photo of a complete set of metric ER25 collets. Starting at 2mm going up to 16mm. Perhaps the more correct way to describe them should be 1-2mm up to 15-16mm. as each collet has a 1mm clamping capacity. The ER16 range is the same only that the maximum size is 10mm (or more correctly 9-10mm collet)
So, fitting small 1/4" tools (IF the round 'tang' is 1/4" in diameter) means simply purchasing a collet (either ER25 or ER16 depending on which handle you want them to fit) that suits 1/4" (6.3mm) so a 6-7mm collet would do the job. ER collets are readily available individually or in sets, from industrial suppliers or try eBay (for some competitive prices).
ER collets are also available in imperial sizes, but that's another story.
I hope this helps.
🙂
Just to help clarify some information about the ER collets, here is a photo of a complete set of metric ER25 collets. Starting at 2mm going up to 16mm. Perhaps the more correct way to describe them should be 1-2mm up to 15-16mm. as each collet has a 1mm clamping capacity. The ER16 range is the same only that the maximum size is 10mm (or more correctly 9-10mm collet)
So, fitting small 1/4" tools (IF the round 'tang' is 1/4" in diameter) means simply purchasing a collet (either ER25 or ER16 depending on which handle you want them to fit) that suits 1/4" (6.3mm) so a 6-7mm collet would do the job. ER collets are readily available individually or in sets, from industrial suppliers or try eBay (for some competitive prices).
ER collets are also available in imperial sizes, but that's another story.
I hope this helps.
🙂
Attachments
This topic has gotten me researching more details re: the collet set (in fractional sizes) I've been using that came with an MT2-shank collet holder. For developing your own mounting system, it seems the collets are the easy part to find. The challenging part is determining what, if anything reasonable, is available to insert into a shop made wooden handle that would hold various collets.
Meanwhile, if I can find out more about ER values (specs? machinists reference? web site?) and related parts that comprise a workable system, maybe I can develop a different thread (or even a newsletter article for my club), especially if I find a way to interface a collet holder with a wooden handle.
Since this thread is really about the Kelton handles, rather than hijack it any further than it's already strayed, I'll finish by saying the info is appreciated (and I just might have to order one of those handles--for research purposes, of course 😉 ).
Meanwhile, if I can find out more about ER values (specs? machinists reference? web site?) and related parts that comprise a workable system, maybe I can develop a different thread (or even a newsletter article for my club), especially if I find a way to interface a collet holder with a wooden handle.
Since this thread is really about the Kelton handles, rather than hijack it any further than it's already strayed, I'll finish by saying the info is appreciated (and I just might have to order one of those handles--for research purposes, of course 😉 ).
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