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TTS Tool holding
- Thread starter greglwood
- Start date
The ER collet holders will accept a slight variation in diameter and still work.
ER collet holders let you change what size tool you can put in it just by changing collets.
The set screw holders hold just one precise tool diameter... period.
The set screw holders are shorter overall, slightly more rigid, and reduce stickout a little. Many people think they are slightly superior to the ER collet holders for machining hard materials (steel, stainless, titanium). I have both. I tend to agree, but I don't obsess over it as you have to use a holder that will hold the tool you have to use. Give me a choice if I'm going to do a high rigidity cut with a standard size end mill I'll reach for a set screw holder first if I have one available.
Set screw holder tools cost more than the ER collet versions in general, but you don't have to buy the collet... so depending on what you need/want that can be a win, or a loss.
ER collet holders let you change what size tool you can put in it just by changing collets.
The set screw holders hold just one precise tool diameter... period.
The set screw holders are shorter overall, slightly more rigid, and reduce stickout a little. Many people think they are slightly superior to the ER collet holders for machining hard materials (steel, stainless, titanium). I have both. I tend to agree, but I don't obsess over it as you have to use a holder that will hold the tool you have to use. Give me a choice if I'm going to do a high rigidity cut with a standard size end mill I'll reach for a set screw holder first if I have one available.
Set screw holder tools cost more than the ER collet versions in general, but you don't have to buy the collet... so depending on what you need/want that can be a win, or a loss.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2017
- Messages
- 5,563
I use tool holders on large end mills exclusively especially if I’m wanting to take deep cuts. If you mount the end mill in the tool holder properly it can never suck it out of the holder like a collet can.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2018
- Messages
- 2,725
Been using TTS for a long time. Here are my thoughts.
Set screw holders: Inferior for many things. Used to be cheap, but not so much any more. You must use a tool with a weldon shank. The slip fit bore guarantees tool runout and uneven flute wear. Good for roughing tools and anything with concern of tool pullout. They are also compact in diameter for reaching into tight locations.
ER Collet Chucks: Best for most tools. Genuine TTS are pricy, but good import options from iCarbide, IGSTool, AliExpress, etc. I've bought many imports and have gotten a mix of good and bad ones - need to inspect when you get them. These use collets to hold smooth shank tools with little runout. You can hold weldon shank tools with a ~40% reduction in tool retention. You should plan to spend money on good collets. I recommend either 0.003mm TIR import collets ($6 each on AliExpress, mixed quality so you have to try a few manufacturers) or name brand collets from domestic sources (Techniks ~$35 each yikes!). If you don't put good collets in these, you'll get really poor runout. They also need to be torqued much tighter than you'd think for best accuracy.
If you take some care, you can make ER20 TTS assemblies with 0.0003" TIR at the tool. Might need to tap the tool with a copper bar to dial in runout by seating the collet. These some videos on YouTube showing this and it does work.
Set screw holders: Inferior for many things. Used to be cheap, but not so much any more. You must use a tool with a weldon shank. The slip fit bore guarantees tool runout and uneven flute wear. Good for roughing tools and anything with concern of tool pullout. They are also compact in diameter for reaching into tight locations.
ER Collet Chucks: Best for most tools. Genuine TTS are pricy, but good import options from iCarbide, IGSTool, AliExpress, etc. I've bought many imports and have gotten a mix of good and bad ones - need to inspect when you get them. These use collets to hold smooth shank tools with little runout. You can hold weldon shank tools with a ~40% reduction in tool retention. You should plan to spend money on good collets. I recommend either 0.003mm TIR import collets ($6 each on AliExpress, mixed quality so you have to try a few manufacturers) or name brand collets from domestic sources (Techniks ~$35 each yikes!). If you don't put good collets in these, you'll get really poor runout. They also need to be torqued much tighter than you'd think for best accuracy.
If you take some care, you can make ER20 TTS assemblies with 0.0003" TIR at the tool. Might need to tap the tool with a copper bar to dial in runout by seating the collet. These some videos on YouTube showing this and it does work.
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2015
- Messages
- 2,151
You might find the attached document helpful.
