Spindle Lock

[warcodmc]

does anybody have or seen a good style of spindle lock.
so it can be a one handed job undoing a er collet so not to drop the cutter on the work or table.

 

[JimDawson]

If your spindle brake has a lever that you push/pull to operate, you could put a small air cylinder on it and actuate it with a manual or electric valve. This is commonly done with power drawbars. I also need to put one on my mill because I have the same problem with my quick change tool holders.

 

[warcodmc]

this has no spindle brake

 

[JimDawson]

The other option is to put it in low gear, if you have that. Maybe add a small motorcycle brake to some rotating part? To the motor shaft maybe?

 

[mksj]

There are a number of different variants for mills, usually involving some form of pin the engages the spindle. If not spring loaded to disengage I would add an electronic safety switch prevent the machine from running. I use a thin spanner wrench to hold the spindle at the bottom, these days I always put a rag under the tooling when loosing the retaining nut, more than once have chipped an end mill because it dropped.

 

[warcodmc]

thanks mksj thats more like it as to what i am looking for.

 

[RonRock]

I like that too. Put that on my ToDo list.