Thank you for the new forum!
Does anyone have plans or pictures of a spring loaded tool holder?
Who has used one, and how well do they work? I have seen pictures of one that had a plastic collar on the end but I would think that would marr or scratch the work.
Thank you for any help.
Cutmore

Like this guys?

http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/1024/cat/500/ppuser/4456

Counzero,
Thank you,That is exactly what I was looking for!
Have you seen any plans or drawings for one of these? I guess I could stop being lazy & just make 1 now that I have seen the 2 linc pictures. Better to make exactly what you want than buy what someone else offers right?
Regards,
Cutmore

Yoy could try contacting the guy that made it, I have not seen any other DIY tools for this.

Thank you for the idea Countzero,
I have pm'ed the creator, Will wait to hear from him. Hopefully I can make 1 and will post pictures of what I make.
Cutmore

That is awesome. It looks like both would be easy to make. I have a Taig spindle (hollow lathe type) on my mill so it is very possible to also make one that has the telescoping spring section on the rear so that it sits up inside the bearing block when mounted. This way the bit doesn't protrude any farther than normal and keeps the TIR down.

Glad to see the basic concept is proven. I hate starting from first principles. I made my first test piece tonight using that hobby store brass model tubing and rod I had laying about, just brazed together and using the spring from a disposable lighter. Fragile as hell and unusable for real work, but surprisingly it did quite well for a mock-up, and using an old chipped 1/8" shank 80 degree half-round vee bit I engraved a pretty decent test piece. Now on to turning a more solid one from stainless stock tomorrow!

I still would like to see how the gun manufacturers do it with the scanning probe moving just ahead of the bit. Easy to setup physically, but the software to alter the G-code for Z in the look-ahead buffer in real-time would be a nightmare chore to code for anyone who doesn't already work in that field and have source code for something like Mach or DeskCNC.

All you need to make one is a piece of steel and an old Dremel tool

Hurm do you think I could sell these?

And what would be a fair price?

I found my first prototype I will try to get some pictures of it disassimbled tonight.

Aksess,
I think you could sell these, Probably not like hotcakes but I think they would sell. I started mine the other night from your info, Thank you.
In order to guestimate price, Look at the price of the commercially available ones, Determine your time & materials to make one and then you can see if you can sell it for less than the commercially sold ones.
You could start a poll to see how much people would pay here on the zone too and that might help you.
I would pay $100-$150 for one that was ready to go, If I had not started to build 1 that is.
My .02c
Cutmore

Just checking to see if anyone has completed the tool holder and if so, how does it work. Please post pictures.

thanks

Sorry it took so long. I have a photo that will make it easier for you to construct one. This was my first prototype the plans can be improved on.

Aksess, thanks for the picture. I can understand how it works now. Seems very simple. That was some good thinking on your part. I am going to have to give one a try.

thanks

You are welcome. Now get buisy and build one.:cheers:

I built one a few years ago. It works great!!