Hydraulic chuck with a reduction sleeve

A hydraulic expansion chuck assembly, comprising:

• a hydraulic chuck having a chuck body, an expansion bushing mounted in the chuck body wherein the expansion bushing defines a chuck opening in communication with a chuck receptacle and a pressure chamber which is interposed between the expansion bushing and the chuck body;
• a tool having a cutting portion and a shank portion;
• and
• a reduction sleeve which is received in the chuck opening of the expansion bushing and defines a tool holder receptacle for receiving the shank portion of the tool, wherein the reduction sleeve includes a connector element configured to releasably attach the reduction sleeve to the chuck body,
• wherein the reduction sleeve includes a plurality of elongated slots that extend radially through the reduction sleeve to allow for radial deformation of the reduction sleeve;
• and
• wherein at least two of the plurality of elongated slots extend into an axial rearward end of the reduction sleeve.

A reduction sleeve for a hydraulic expansion chuck that receives a tool, the reduction sleeve comprising:

• a sleeve body having an axial forward end, an axial rearward end and a sidewall extending therebetween, wherein the sleeve body defines a tool holder receptacle having a receptacle opening adjacent the axial forward end for receiving the tool;
• and
• a connector element for releasably attaching the sleeve body to the hydraulic expansion chuck adjacent the axial rearward end of the sleeve body,
• wherein the reduction sleeve includes a plurality of elongated slots that extend radially through the reduction sleeve to allow for radial deformation of the reduction sleeve;
• and
• wherein at least two of the plurality of elongated slots extend into the axial rearward end of the reduction sleeve.