Porter Cable 890 Router and collet

[H2ODiver]

Hi,

I have a porter cable router (890) hooked up to a K2CNC machine and was wondering what sort of mechanical tool presetter I can use to maintain repeatable tool height. I emailed Tormach but they said they did not have anything to fit this router. The Porter Cable can utilize 1/4 and 1/2 shafts.

Is anyone using anything that would fit this configuration?

Thanks

[ger21]

If using Mach3, you can make an automatic height setter like this. Free semi Automatic Toolchanger

[H2ODiver]

Thanks for the info, I will look into this.

[spoiledbrat]

I know this is probably one month late, and possibly the wrong size bits, but here goes.

If you are using a home or limit switch on your Z axis, the router can be trusted to be in the same place today, tomorrow, and next week when you type in G1 Z0.5". That being said, if you can find someone to make these toolholders for you in their lathe, you will not have to use that blasted toolsetter ever again. The 892 router collet has a taper in it that assures you of a repeatable tool height each time you put the tool in. The tools are simply placed withing the toolholders using Loctite, and the old collet nut and snap ring are used. You will find that if your taper is correct, once you loosen the nut, the taper will hold itself in until the nut begins to push down on the snapring (see OEM collets)
I have been using this setup for the last three years, and the only time I have to measure a tool is when I am replacing a broken one.
The tool table in Mach 2 has all of my offsets stored for me.

I only write this to help. Sorry if I missed the mark.

[H2ODiver]

Thanks for the reply Spoiledbrat,

The setup you have described is what I have been using since my last post. Your right... this setup works great and is very fast and repeatable.

Thanks for your feedback!