Tool Holders

[apex55]

What's better a BT or CT toolholder and what are the advantages or disadvantages of each? I'm currently looking at VMC's

[MazakMikeO]

Do you mean BT and CAT? The only difference I have noticed is CAT holders only go into the toolchanger one way, BT can go in either way. There may be a difference in prices or in syles of holders you can get, but I'm not sure on that.

[TheGreenMachine]

We have a machine that uses CT40 (CAT40) and a machine that uses BT40, they look very similar, same approximate size and taper. In practice I don't think you will see a performance advantage from one to the other, but I believe the CAT40 is more common probably making them easier to find and cheaper. They are not interchangeable.

[Caprirs]

BT tool holders have metric threads for the retention knobs whereas CAT uses inch threads.

Also, the groove on the flange is located a little lower on BT tools compared to CAT. On a lot of machines, this prevents using BT and CAT in the same magazine/carousel.