MT2 vs. R8

[DY123]

I'm currently looking at the Optimum BF20L Vario and the Grizzly G0704.

What would I be giving up by going with the Optimum and the MT2 spindle vs the Grizzly with the R8?

I currently have a manual benchtop machine with a MT2 and a er25 collet. Seems to work fine. Not ever using an R8 I guess I don't know what I would be missing out on.

Thanks

[wizard]

I'm currently looking at the Optimum BF20L Vario and the Grizzly G0704.

What would I be giving up by going with the Optimum and the MT2 spindle vs the Grizzly with the R8?

it probably depends upon where you are at. In the USA R8 tooling, new and used, is far easier to come by.

I currently have a manual benchtop machine with a MT2 and a er25 collet. Seems to work fine. Not ever using an R8 I guess I don't know what I would be missing out on.

Thanks

There is nothing wrong with Morse taper tooling! However I would have to say that R8 is probably easier to work with. Specifically you seldom end up with an arbor with a death grip in your spindle.

Personally I'd go with R8. You already have MT tooling so that is likely a factor. So you really need to judge potential advantages of R8 against any extra cost you may have.

[LongRat]

R8 is similar in size to MT3, but a LOT bigger than MT2, so you might expect better rigidity and tool capacity on the R8.
Having said that, if the bearings on the R8 version are no larger, then there might not be any rigidity advantage.

[mchabot]

Can be even worse, as R8 has more overhang than MT3 for example (see R8/MT3 X2 spindle difference on LMS).
MT is prone to cone grip, you definitely need an ejector nut for it (could be build afterward).

[109jb]

Given those 2 choices, I'd go with R8 for the reasons mentioned. Also, an R8 collet will have the capacity to have a larger diameter too extend up inside the collet. I have several 3/4" double end mills that work fine on an R8 collet tucked in close to the spindle nose. An Mt2 you would need an end mill holder that is going to extend below the spindle nose and I don't think a double end mill will work on a 2Mt x 3/4" end mill holder. Kind of minor stuff but I'd get the R8 if you have a choice.

[hoss2006]

The main consideration for me was what works with TTS, R8 does, 2MT doesn't.
Hoss