Hi Guys
There is more to this key thing than most are aware of the key is not there just to hold the collet while you do it up
By removing the key in a R8 you leave a hole in the inside of the spindle ( in most) which can & will let metal chips & junk into the spindle bearings (on some) not good short life for the spindle bearings at $300 a set
The key is there also to hold the collet from turning when you undo it if you get a tight thread I would like to see the mess you make of the collet/drawbar etc trying to get it out without a key
What would a manufacture go to the trouble to put a key in a spindle if you don't need it
may be Geof has the answer 20 years without a key????
Machining centre's have key's some have ( 1 ) some have ( 2 ) to locate the tool holder
& to stop it from being able to turn in the spindle while cutting
Another reason a key is there is so you put your collet/toolholder always in the same location in the spindle if your collet or toolholder get damaged or a chip gets on it there will only be damage in the spindle or collet/ toolholder in one place without a key you will get damage were ever the collet or toolholder is placed in the spindle it does not take long for a spindle to be of no use once it is damaged like this
I was at one time regrinding spindles 4 to 6 a week because of this kind of damage mostly because people new better than the manufactures & removed the key
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Mactec54 |