The downside of collets is that they are often less suitable for general use due to the smaller clamping ange - several collets are required to achieve the same range as a standard jaw chuck. Collets are most useful in repetitive work where clamping requirement does not vary significantly.

As its name implies, a pullback collet chuck operates by drawing a collet back into the chuck body. As the external taper on the collet makes contact with the internal taper of the chuck, the collet compresses to grip the workpiece.