Thread: ER20 Collet holders for Tormach Tool Change System.

Thanks for the link. I assume if you had a tool setter you could clamp a number of different cutters making tool changing convenient.
You CNC mill conversion is very interesting - keep the posts coming.

Just a note that Tormach also have a MT3 collet available for the Quick change tooling system. It doesn't seem very popular and isn't included as standard in their kits!

The US use R8 arbors on their machines and UK and Aus use MT3 although R8 is avaialble on some machines. Tormach would be mainly targeting the US market.

The problem with MT3 is it is only a taper and does not have a register to make mounting repeateble. It would work with the above system as you are not withdrawing the MT3 arbor.

Originally Posted by rodm

The US use R8 arbors on their machines and UK and Aus use MT3 although R8 is avaialble on some machines. Tormach would be mainly targeting the US market.

The problem with MT3 is it is only a taper and does not have a register to make mounting repeateble. It would work with the above system as you are not withdrawing the MT3 arbor.

The Tormach system relies on the toolholder registering on the bottom of the spindle, NOT the collet. So a MT3 should work as well at the R8

The first step in installing the Tormach tool system collet is to skill the bottom of the spindle to ensure it is a flat parallel surface.

These tool holders have the ring on then that then seats onto the bottom of the spindle as the collet is tightened and draws the holder up. That's what makes them repeatable. Also they say that the colder is more rigid as is is held against the bottom of the spindle and not just held by the collet.

Cheers,

Peter.

Originally Posted by marty989

Just a note that Tormach also have a MT3 collet available for the Quick change tooling system. It doesn't seem very popular and isn't included as standard in their kits!

Yes, you could just buy the Tormach collet, MT3 or R8 and then use these holders. The Tormach toolholder collets are ground flat rather than the usual conical shape. This ensures that the toolholder does not tighten up against bottom of the collet, but tightens up against the bottom of the spindle.

Cheers,

Peter.

Originally Posted by phomann

Yes, you could just buy the Tormach collet, MT3 or R8 and then use these holders

That would be a cheaper option but then I'd have to build myself a powered drawbar

Slippery slope this CNC business

Enjoying the build log Peter

I just bought another set of 10.

I should be set now. As soon as I have a machine to use them in that is.

Cheers,

Peter.

i had a quick look , and at 80mm long there not adaptable to the 1.5kw Vdf with a clearance of 100mm

i might be wrong

Originally Posted by phomann

I just bought another set of 10.

I should be set now. As soon as I have a machine to use them in that is.

Cheers,

Peter.

Any news on the compatibility/repeatability Peter?

Hi,

No, I haven't done any testing yet as the mill is in pieces as I'm slowly converting it to CNC.

Cheers,

Peter.

I've just received the MT3 version of the Tormach collet so I'm interested to see how you go with this Peter. A note for anyone else who's looking to buy one the drawbar thread on the Tormach collet is 3/8-16

Hi Marty,

It will be a while before I get to use them as I in the middle of converting the machine.

Apparently its not going to be a quick conversion.

Cheers,

Peter

Originally Posted by phomann

Hi Marty,

It will be a while before I get to use them as I in the middle of converting the machine.

Apparently its not going to be a quick conversion.

Cheers,

Peter

I hear you. I've got a kit and mine is still moving at a snails pace. Will probably be ordering the electronics in a week or two though