If I were buying again, I would not buy the complete TTS system. Instead, I would figure out what parts of it I want and just buy those.
For example, you get two small and two large chucks with the system. I can personally get by with one of each (and in fact I also bought the 5/8" chuck), so I could have left a few chucks out. For the price of the chucks, I could have bought a few more set screw holders. I doubt you can buy enough set screw holders.
I also bought a few extra ER collets, which are a good thing, but I didn't actually know how to forecast how I would use them. I would buy differently now that I know more. The collet holders are very useful for tooling under 3/8", although some tools work fine in 1/4" set screw holders. For under 1/4", you definitely want collets. Chances are, you can't buy enough collet holders, either.
You can make your own tray out of just about any hunk of material, so maybe the $20 for the TTS one could go into more holders or something. Mine came damaged due to poor packing, but I can still use it. I find that I lay the tools out during a job anyway, and the tray lives over in a corner. Thus, two trays would work well for me. I have several pieces of Oak that would work great for a tool tray, but I haven't made that second tray yet (I make short planks out of big trees after hurricanes; You can rip planks with a chainsaw, and you don't really need one of those fancy guides). The mill will work great on wood, and it's a great way to learn how your machine works.
Finally, several people have complained that the TTS measuring tool is not usable, but I found that I simply had to learn how to handle it to get very repeatable results. Indeed, if you know how to use a dial caliper or micrometer, you can get the same results without the granite base and vertical measuring tool (but you should still have the cylinder). Look around to see if you can find another tool that is a little better made, but if not, the TTS one does work. It's just a little fidgety, but it will give repeatable measurements to about 0.0003" or so once you tame it.
If you have specific questions about TTS or the PCNC1100, please ask.
Regards,
- Just Gary  |