r8 quick change collets

I got a quick change set-up with a BP once. Had a R8 on one end and some weird quick change system on the other. When installed it stuck down quite a bit. Because it stuck out so much it didn’t look that rigid enough. So for that one reason I did not like it. Never used it, still have it somewhere?
 
I'm thinking for use in the mini mill it would be perfect for certain jobs or tools that never would leave the collet. I'm asking a few people from youtube that made their own about the material they used to make them and when i make them i will make them so they are stubby so they don't stick out far from the spindle. I'm going to either make them as 2 pieces so i can lap the bottom and make it a nice mating surface for the spindle or as a single piece and lap it carefully depending on the run out
 
So the youtubers have gotten back to me and some of them used 1144 stressproof and 12L14 and someone else used 1018 so im still thinking stainless because of it being tooling i dont want it to get mared up easily
 
I use the Tormach TTS system with a manual drawbar. For the amount of tool changes that I typically do, I didn't think it worth the additional expense and complexity.

Aside from faster tool changes, there are other advantages to the TTS system. Tools are loaded into collet chucks, end mill holder, drill chucks, etc. all with the 3/4" shank which fits a slightly modified 3/4" R8 collet (the modeification consists of removing a small amount from the face of the collet so the TTS holder seats against the spindle face). This causes the TTS holder to precisely reference the spindle face assuring consistent tool length each time the loaded TTS collet is seated. There is no need for touch-off each time a tool is loaded. Drawing the TTS holder against the spindle face produces a certain amount of force which is usually enough to unseat the TTS holder when the spindle drawbar is loosened. This allows unseating the tool holder with a light tap.

As to negatives, the TTS system does introduce additional elements into the drive . There is no such thing as a purely zero runout. Adding more components increases stacked runout. For all intents, this isn't much of an issue for hobby machinists. The TTS system does take up some of your vertical real estate which can be a problem on smaller machines. The ER20 collet chuck adds a little over 2", the end mill holders, about 1-3/4", and the drill chuck adapters, about .6". The TTS collet system is somewhat limited in the tool diameter which may not ber an issue for a small mill. The ER20 collet's largest diameter is 13mm. Tormach also sells ER32 collet chucks which extend the tool diameter to as much as 7/8". The additional components do contribute to reduced rigidity. The TTS system is used to best advantage with a DRO. Tool offsets can be measured and recorded and used to set tool offsets.

The bottom line is that , having used the TTS system, I wouldn't go back to using R8 collets. In addition to my Tormach CNC, I have also converted my old mill drill to using the TTS system. If I need to run a larger end mill, I can fall back on my R8 tool holders but virtually all of my machining is done with the TTS system.
 
Ill have to look at other DRO right now im looking at a simple set on amazon for 135$
 
I have used the Royal qc system on a bp type cnc mill. And thought it would ideal for a bench top mill, Until I saw the price, over triple what I paid for my mill. Thought sure there would be knock offs my now.
 
I like the mach-1 style but to much money same with the royals thats why im thinking tormach bc its a little cheaper and i can make my own just dont know which material to use. Ive been getting mixed ideas
 
Brento said:
How much did the kit cost you? Im having trouble finding the price.
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Sorry for not responding sooner. Been tied up with an urgent family matter. I bought my kit used for $150. The rotation sensor was missing some parts so I sent it to the factory located in Long Beach, CA. Cost me another $200 including shipping.

It's been a while but I remember seeing a new kit advertised on Amazon?? for $1500. They are still in business AFAIK. Beware, the owner likes to talk. He'll keep you on the phone for hours if you let him.

Edit - Used kits and components show up on eBay from time to time at reasonable prices. Just bought a couple of used collets for $55 each. New ones are more $100. If you want more info I have a couple of brochures I can scan and post.
 
TomS said:
Sorry for not responding sooner. Been tied up with an urgent family matter. I bought my kit used for $150. The rotation sensor was missing some parts so I sent it to the factory located in Long Beach, CA. Cost me another $200 including shipping.

It's been a while but I remember seeing a new kit advertised on Amazon?? for $1500. They are still in business AFAIK. Beware, the owner likes to talk. He'll keep you on the phone for hours if you let him.

Edit - Used kits and components show up on eBay from time to time at reasonable prices. Just bought a couple of used collets for $55 each. New ones are more $100. If you want more info I have a couple of brochures I can scan and post.
Click to expand...

Thank you but i think im going to go with the tormach system.
 
Tormach sells tool holder blanks (pn#31802) for about $20 each if you want to make your own, and the tightening fixture (pn#33034) is highly recommended. I mounted mine on the X power feed so it is handy for changing collets. If you already have a 3/4" R8 collet, you can use that. The only difference is that the Tormach collet is ground flat on the face. You can use your drawbar the way it is.
Another advantage of the tts system is that you only need 1 1/2" clearance, as opposed to 4" for a R8 collet, to change tools.
TTS tool holders, about $35 each.....changing tools in 3-4 seconds....Priceless!!!
 
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