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Small Facemill

Dan Dubeau said:
I made that one. It's been a while, but I think its 4140 (maybe o1?) and I think I hardened it. That was one reason I went with the 1" version was so I had a step to press the collar against. Not sure I'd trust a bolt on collar, but I have unfounded trust issues for stuff like that :D. I'm sure it would probably work fine if one didn't slam tools in and out and was careful with it. I'd always worry about the pullback force of the drawbar shifting my Z reference over time. It would be shifting it in the safe direction though, so not as bad but still something to watch out for.
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Yes, if the collar slips it reduces DoC rather than increasing it so maybe not a huge problem. At least not until the next tool makes a somewhat deeper than expected finishing cut!

I like the Tormach ones (https://tormach.com/tts-collar-32432.html) that are a light press fit. On the other hand they are us$24.95 plus shipping plus customs. And they also only work on a properly sized tool shank (my latest Accusize that started this thread measures 0.7499 according to my Mitutoyo mike).
 
The Tormach ones are nice, and a pretty reasonable price considering the work involved in making one. Especially if you have a tool changer. I made no provisions for that with mine. Half of my tool holders are incompatible too, and I don't forsee me ever adding a toolchanger anyway. Shipping is a killer from them though. Just went through that ordering my stepper driver and shipping + brokerage was over $80. Tough to swallow when I've so used to free shipping from almost everywhere.
 
Dan Dubeau said:
The Tormach ones are nice, and a pretty reasonable price considering the work involved in making one. Especially if you have a tool changer. I made no provisions for that with mine. Half of my tool holders are incompatible too, and I don't forsee me ever adding a toolchanger anyway. Shipping is a killer from them though. Just went through that ordering my stepper driver and shipping + brokerage was over $80. Tough to swallow when I've so used to free shipping from almost everywhere.
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Yes, if you include the cost of the shaft collar + my time to cut the collet pocket I was probably paid less than minimum wage.
 
I got to the shop today for some quick test cuts with my new little Accusize facemill. In 6061 at 10K rpm, 0.05 DoC and 60 ipm I get a mirror finish. A nice two foot long fantail of chips but the mill isn't straining. From the load meter I can probably double the DoC but I didn't have time to try. Happy!
 
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