An assembly for removing chips from a cutting tool working area on a workpiece, comprising: a support structure (16) for supporting a first end of an axially expandable and collapsible tubular member (46); a cross-piece (34) for supporting a second end of the tubular member (46); at least one biasing spring (30, 32) configured and arranged for resiliently biasing the support structure (16) and the cross-piece (34) away from one another; a housing (36) with a chips-receiving chamber (38) located adjacent one of said ends of the tubular member (46) for engagement with the working area of the workpiece, an outlet (40, 44) from the chamber (38) of the housing being configured to be connected to a vacuum source for removing chips from the chamber; and a hub portion (22) located at the other of said ends of the tubular member for engagement with a cutting machine.