Endmill adapter with integral collet

An endmill adapter for holding an endmill, comprising:

• (a) a shank for fitting into the spindle of an endmill;
• (b) a closed end collet assembly integral with the shank and projecting from the outer end thereof;
• (c) the collet assembly including a threaded base formed adjacent the shank and a collet section extending from the threaded base and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, elongated collet segments separated by spaced apart, elongated slots;
• (d) the collet section including a continuous and uninterrupted closed outer terminal ring that joins the collet segments and extends across the ends of the slots separating the collet segments;
• and
• (e) a lock nut adapted to fit over the collet section and to threadably engage the base such that turning the lock nut downwardly onto the threaded base results in the collect section being collapsed and tightened around an endmill disposed within the collet section.

A tool holder having an integral collet assembly comprising:

• (a) a shank portion and a collet assembly integral with the shank portion;
• (b) the collet assembly including a series of circumferentially spaced elongated collet segments and a series of open slots formed between the respective collect segments, and a base interposed between the shank portion of the tool holder and the collet section;
• (c) attaching means formed on the base;
• (d) the collet assembly further including a continuous, uninterrupted, closed outer terminal ring joined with the collet segment and extending across the ends of the open slot to form a solid annular end terminal ring on the end of the collet section opposite the base;
• and
• (e) collet closure means for fitting over the collet section and connecting with the attaching means of the base for collapsing and tightening the collet section down onto a tool held within the collet section.