Taper question

[jaded13640]

I need help identifying what taper I have on my mill. I suspect it's an R8.

It's one of those old Chinese benchtop mills. Until now I've been doing everything with the drill chuck that was in it because it was all I had. That and I didn't know how to get it out. I honestly didn't think a machine that crappy would have even gotten a draw bar system, I honestly expected there to be a slot that you used an angled tool and drove the thing out of the taper like on a drill-press. Anyway, I managed to get the drill chuck out and I was surprised to find it permanently affixed to a taper. I thought it might have been bolted into a reusable taper, kind of like a collet situation. Nope. So I looked it all over, no hint at what taper it is. I don't see anything on the machine that says what taper it uses but I want to get some collets and use the machine a little more than I have been. I've been using it as a drill press mostly and only rarely milling anything with it. When I did mill something I had to just put the mill cutter in the drill chuck because it was what I had.

What do you guys think I should to in order to find out what taper this is? I didn't take a picture of it while I had it out...just didn't think about it.

Anyway, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[erikmannie]

One idea would be to buy a cheap R8 collet on eBay and see how it fits. Here is one for $12.50 delivered, and you can even choose the size!

 

[Bi11Hudson]

I never thought I would be calling for this. But in reality, a photo would go a long way, especially if a tape measure or scale was laid along side for sizing. Now, for the rest of the answer that might be a little more useful. Being an older "off brand" Chinese machine, I would bet on an MT-3 if it isn't an R-8. Assuming a fairly small machine, smaller than a bread box Bridgeport, there are machines currently available with a MT-3 taper. Well, there were last I looked, less than 6 months back. I have an old Atlas horizontal mill, the quill is MT-2. Be sure to check for the drawbar thread, probably metric. It could be USS, 5/8 or 11/16. Whatever the thread, there must be a drawbar for use on a milling machine. On a drill press it is a nice touch, on a mill it is a must.

.

 

[markba633csi]

Wayne: take it out again and post a photo, we should be able to tell you if it's R8 or a Morse flavor
R8s have the very short taper at the end, whereas Morse taper is much longer
R8 always has a threaded end- Morse is sometimes threaded (for milling) and sometimes with a tang or stub for drilling only
-Mark

 

[Ulma Doctor]

MT2 was very popular on the import drill presses and round column milling machines.
R8 is possible, but i'd be leaning to MT2

 

[jaded13640]

I'll take it out again and get a picture. I should have done that first but wasn't sure there'd be enough difference between one and the other that you would be able to tell in a photo but with a square or something next to it give perspective, maybe that'll work. Next chance I upload a photo.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[WobblyHand]

I'll take it out again and get a picture. I should have done that first but wasn't sure there'd be enough difference between one and the other that you would be able to tell in a photo but with a square or something next to it give perspective, maybe that'll work. Next chance I upload a photo.

Thanks,

Wayne

If you can, put a ruler next to the piece, and take a picture. It really helps us narrow down what it is. Any kind of ruler will do, from a machinist scale to a sewing ruler, or a plastic kids ruler.

 

[jaded13640]

Here's some pics...

 

[ErichKeane]

Looks dead on for an R8. Largest part of the taper is 1.25", OAL is almost exactly 4", and taper length is a touch more than 1". 7/16-20 is also the R8 drawbar size.. I'd say with pretty high confidence: R8.

 

[jaded13640]

Looks dead on for an R8. Largest part of the taper is 1.25", OAL is almost exactly 4", and taper length is a touch more than 1". 7/16-20 is also the R8 drawbar size.. I'd say with pretty high confidence: R8.

Thanks Erich. I'll see if the others agree and if so, I'll order the new collets. I see a new set on Amazon for $54.

Thanks again,

Wayne