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Important Update Regarding Sherline Products
October 20, 2026
We would like to share an encouraging development regarding the future of Sherline Products.
We are currently in discussions with an American manufacturer regarding the potential purchase of Sherline’s intellectual property and remaining inventory. The goal of this proposed acquisition is to preserve and revitalize the Sherline brand while providing continued availability of replacement parts, accessories, and machines for our valued customers.
As these discussions progress, we have agreed to temporarily suspend accepting new orders, effective October 19, 2026. This will allow us to preserve our remaining inventory while negotiations are underway.
Although no final agreement has been reached, we are hopeful that this opportunity will provide a positive path forward for the Sherline name and the customers who have trusted our products for more than five decades.
We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued loyalty during this transition. We will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.
Our greatest hope is that the Sherline legacy of quality, precision, and American craftsmanship will continue for generations to come.

Karl Rohlin III and Charla Papp
Co-Owners, Sherline Products, Inc.
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2085_WW-Collet-Adapter

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Image shown is a representation only. Actual product may vary.

WW Collet to 5/8″ Adapter

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Product Description

About the Adjustable Tailstock Tool Holder

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Held in the Adjustable Tailstock Tool Holder (not included), the collet adapter allows the use of WW (or 8 mm) collets in the lathe tailstock. Using collets in the tailstock means you can hold extremely small drills accurately on center. Drills of only a few thousandths of an inch can easily break if not perfectly centered. Complete instructions are provided with the adapter to help you “perfectly” align the headstock and tailstock of your Sherline lathe. When you consider the alternative of spending thousands of dollars for a jeweler’s lathe that is far less versatile, the time is well spent.

The WW collet to 5/8″ adapter holds Sherline WW collets with a shank diameter of .312-.313″. Other manufacturers make collets that vary in size up to .314-.315″. The 8.0 mm adapter is made to hold collets of that size. If your collets are not made by Sherline, measure them carefully to see which adapter you should use.

We also offer a collet adapter with a hex retaining cap (P/N 20871) for those who want to hold the collet adapter in our 5/8″ Gang-Tool Post mounted on our Chucker Lathe. The hex cap is more easily tightened using a 1″ hex wrench (P/N 65025) than the knurled cap can be by hand. Using a wrench allows you to tighten the retaining cap tight enough to keep the drill from moving or spinning in the collet when drilling into your part.

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The improper use of machine tools and their accessories can result in serious injury. Before using this tool, thoroughly read the instructions and make sure you understand its proper and safe use.

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Always wear safety glasses when operating machine tools.

Download PDF 2085 Instructions

Instructions PDF Download

Body and Retaining Ring Material 12L14 Steel
Body Coating Black oxide
Collet Capacity #2085: WW (.312-.313 in.), #2086: 8mm (.312-.313 in.)
Knurled Cap
Part No. Description Quantity
20880 Sherline WW Adapter Body (Inch) 1
20890 8mm WW Adapter Body (Metric) 1
20870 Knurled Retaining Cap 1
Hex Cap
Part No. Description Quantity
20880 Sherline WW Adapter Body (Inch) 1
20890 8mm WW Adapter Body (Metric) 1
20871 Hex Retaining Cap 1

Click the P/N below to download a zipped version of the IGS 3D CAD file. You will need to extract the zip file before viewing the IGS file.
2085(2086 metric) WW Collet Tailstock Adapter 3D IGS model
20870 Retaining Ring 3D IGS model
You need an IGS viewer to view .igs files. CLICK HERE to download a FREE IGS viewer.

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    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:

    • Inch Collets: Part numbers begin with 1160, followed by two digits representing the size in 64ths of an inch.

      • Example: P/N 116013 is 13/64"; P/N 116016 is 1/4" (16/64").

    • Metric Collets: Part numbers begin with 1178, followed by two digits representing the size in 0.1 mm increments.

      • Example: P/N 117813 is 1.3 mm.

    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:

    • Inch sizes from 1/64" to 5/16", in 64th-inch increments.

    • Metric sizes from 0.3 mm to 8.0 mm, in 0.1 mm increments.

    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!

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