Tapers - NMTB, CAT, BT, and NST different/compatible?

ScrapMetal

ScrapMetal

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I'm looking at buying some more tooling for my mill and as I search I run across these different "types" of taper even though they may all be "40". Where are their differences? Are any compatible with each other?

Thanks,

-Ron
 
There are some bigger differences and some not so big. Some have to do with the drawbar thread, or retention knob thread, depending on the style of spindle they are designed to fit. Some deal with the flange that sits in front of the spindle taper. That deals more with automtaic tool changers and how they hold the holders.

Here's a brief glance at the basic differences. You should probably wade through the MH or maybe Wiki to get more detail.

http://www.timgoldstein.com/cad_cam/tapers.htm
 
Tony Wells said:
There are some bigger differences and some not so big. Some have to do with the drawbar thread, or retention knob thread, depending on the style of spindle they are designed to fit. Some deal with the flange that sits in front of the spindle taper. That deals more with automtaic tool changers and how they hold the holders.

Here's a brief glance at the basic differences. You should probably wade through the MH or maybe Wiki to get more detail.

http://www.timgoldstein.com/cad_cam/tapers.htm
Click to expand...

Darn it! More studying to do. :biggrin: I didn't know if there was a "quick" answer (things are never "simple") but I will pull out my MH and do some reading tonight.

Thanks again Tony, much appreciated,

-Ron
 
From the pictures you put up of mill i beleive you have a NMTB 40 or 50 for the horizontal althrough it did look alittle small for a 50.

Paul
 
Old Iron said:
From the pictures you put up of mill i believe you have a NMTB 40 or 50 for the horizontal although it did look a little small for a 50.

Paul
Click to expand...

The horizontal is supposedly NMTB 40 so that is what I'm generally looking for and if it is marked as such I'm fairly confident that it will work. But...

Where it gets a little frustrating is some vendors I've seen will just list something as a "#40 taper". Well great, just what the heck would that be then? :headscratch: I didn't know if some of the designations I was seeing were actually referring to the same thing or not or if some are compatible with others.

It's proven to be a much more complicated subject than I had figured as there ARE different names for the same taper as well as different "40" tapers. Adding to the confusion is something called a "Universal Kwik-switch" or "Rapid-switch" taper (see the link Tony provided) that can possibly work in place of different tapers.

I should have known better than to start looking into "machine standards" :rolleyes: :biggrin:

-Ron
 
Thanks guys. I'll be checking out e-bay as suggested. :thumbzup: I'll be making good use of the info you provided Frank - very helpful.

Now, in my search for tooling, any particular brands that would be more advantageous to get? I know that once I go on there I will found hundreds of people selling a bunch of "unknown" imports. While I'm not against buying imported tooling I do have a thing for buying quality tooling. Many of the imports, especially the Chinese/India/Unknowns seem to have a "hit or miss" quality factor. I'd be more inclined to buy older tooling as long as it was of good manufacture, etc. You guys know the routine. :biggrin:

Thanks again,

-Ron
 
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