TTS Tool Holder Block

[rwm]

I am placing the holders with the tools pointed up as shown. I have a Tormach adapter for my Heimer that has a trrough hole. I have a bunch of iCarbide ER20 TTS holders. They all have through holes that will permit a 3/8" tool to fall through. I have already chipped one end mill this way! Do the Tormach TTS adapter lack a through hole? This pick looks like they do?

I agree this is more of a luxury than a necessity, but it it saves a few end mills it will be worth it. I have had a problem with end mill pull out when it chattered so I try to get close to the correct torque (Although I don't use a torque wrench admittedly, I use your technique!)
Personally, it is hard for me to grip two wrenches, hold the cutter in place, hold the TTS adapter in space and estimate 40 ft/lbs of torque without something moving or flying away.

 

[dbb-the-bruce]

Ha! now you've got me looking at everything....

The only through hole TTS holders I have are the grub screw type.
All of the ER collet holders have hollow stubs but the hole doesn't go clear through.
Some of the adapter type TTS have varying depths of hollow stubs, the rest are solid.

So quite a mix for whatever reasons but only the grub/weldon flat style have holes clear through.

 

[dbb-the-bruce]

Also, funny (not!) that you mention chipping a carbide end mill that slipped out.

I literally did that yesterday with a brand new 3/8 end mill on my bench top mill. I had to use an R8 collet for vertical clearance and the end mill slipped out when I put the wrench on the top of drawbar. There were words exclaimed.

 

[rwm]

Very interesting about the holders. Please let us know how your experience goes as you get into this. I was just looking over the Tormach machines. They look great but they sure are expensive unless you are in production. That ATC is the cost of a good mill!