New Mini Mill landed safe and sound

[daniellyall]

Flick them a email that's how Exander (he's a cam intern and a user voted intern) got them, he did those files for fun

[LeeWay]

I did email them at Orange.
It mentions at the bottom of the catalog that the solid models are available by email request.
I will update if I hear anything.

[LeeWay]

They did put the correct size guide pins in the box. That will let me make a couple low profile clamps to clamp the ends of the GMT vise horizontally. Those would not work at all for Y axis orientation. It would hang too much vise of the back of the table.

[LeeWay]

Well the orange vise shipped today. That is good news.
I have only spent just a little time punching buttons on the mill.
I am having difficulty figuring out my tooling scheme for different parts. It has to do with the tool and pocket numbers. I think my confusion is stemming from wanting to leave some tools onboard for a new job.
I think instead of that, we remove all tools after the job and put them in the numbered storage. We will have a cheat sheet to show what tool numbers are.
Then starting a new job, have a caddy that holds just the tools the setup sheet calls for.
Then load and measure them.
This method will at least give us a chance to inspect the tools more closely than leaving them in the carousel.

Any thoughts or words of wisdom?

[haastec]

Well the orange vise shipped today. That is good news.
I have only spent just a little time punching buttons on the mill.
I am having difficulty figuring out my tooling scheme for different parts. It has to do with the tool and pocket numbers. I think my confusion is stemming from wanting to leave some tools onboard for a new job.
I think instead of that, we remove all tools after the job and put them in the numbered storage. We will have a cheat sheet to show what tool numbers are.
Then starting a new job, have a caddy that holds just the tools the setup sheet calls for.
Then load and measure them.
This method will at least give us a chance to inspect the tools more closely than leaving them in the carousel.

Any thoughts or words of wisdom?

Everyone has their own preferences, but this sounds like a solid plan. Plus, not only does this method allow you to inspect each tool cutter before the next job, but allows you to clean the tool tapers as well. This will go along way with preventing the tools from sticking in the tapers due to dirt/grime and coolant tackiness. Search for tools popping or sticking if you don't know much about the issue. It's not much of a problem when the tapers are maintained; including the spindle taper.

Good luck with your new machine!

[LeeWay]

Thanks. I am all too familiar with the operator not doing any maintenance on tools or holders. That has to change. You can't beat on this draw bar to release the tool.
I will be loading the jobs for awhile, so I will get him into using the correct procedure to insure clean tools and good ATC operation.

[extanker59]

We leave standard (to us) tools in the machine. We run titanium and 17-4 ss so we change tools often enough to do the maintenance. Part of our reasoning is we don't have the money to buy double the holders and a cart to store them on. On the other hand I have wished, during a panic to get parts out, to have been able to have my tools pre-loaded into holders.
So, long story short (too late?), assuming the money is there, I'd get the extra holders too. You never know.

[Machineit]

We leave standard (to us) tools in the machine. We run titanium and 17-4 ss so we change tools often enough to do the maintenance. Part of our reasoning is we don't have the money to buy double the holders and a cart to store them on. On the other hand I have wished, during a panic to get parts out, to have been able to have my tools pre-loaded into holders.
So, long story short (too late?), assuming the money is there, I'd get the extra holders too. You never know.

I only have two old Haas VF-2s, but I have over 80 tool holders so that I can keep tools loaded. Just seconds to touch a tool off, but many more minutes of time to locate and load/change/restock different tools etc. That is why I think it ridiculous to think you will buy only the top of the line tool holders (and argue about which one those are) instead of getting more for less. What used to be a cheap tool from China 20 years ago, is now just as good as is produced here for 6 times the money. Even most that are labeled as made here are not really. They will do a finishing step and say made in USA.

I recently bought 8 CAT40 Collet chucks for $199.00 and they are great. All manufacturing processes around the world have had the standards improve so much in the last ten years or so that they are all about the same. If you have the top of the line US made 1/2" endmill holder and a cheap China one, they can both put the damn hole where it should be.

In case you are interested: CAT40-ER16 COLLET CHUCK-8 CHUCKS/set for $199.00 shipping free,Tool Holder Set

Buy more tools and save time.

Mike

[extanker59]

Not sure why you quoted me on your reply...

[Machineit]

Not sure why you quoted me on your reply...

You were pining for more tool holders, right?

How is the new EDM? Greg happy?

Mike

[extanker59]

Lol. I work here. I don't own here. So money is out of my hands.
However, to your point about buying Chinese, I agree. You can get quality Chinese stuff. My TV is made in China. But I like to complain a lot about jobs going over seas so I recommend made in USA every chance I get. I also put my own personal money into buying USA. Hand tools all made in USA. Starrett inspection tools for the most part. Tool box is Kennedy. Etc...
So I can't recommend Chinese brands or I'd feel like I couldn't complain anymore. And since complaining is what I do best...Lol

[Machineit]

"complaining is what I do best...Lol"

A mans got to stick with what he's good at!

Good luck my friend MIke

[LeeWay]

If you don't know what a good tool holder looks and feels like, then you won't know the difference easily.
If I needed 80 tools, I would be looking at lower cost holders as well. As it is, I bought mostly mid priced holders and I am satisfied. Only one has actually cut anything so far.
Steel soft jaws in the GMT vise.
Orange vise arrives tomorrow.
My issue now is trying to figure out how to use our tools for our parts, since apparently the tool and pocket numbers must match on an Umbrella style holder.

[Machineit]

If you don't know what a good tool holder looks and feels like, then you won't know the difference easily.

Wow, I'll be 70 in September and been doing this stuff for 30 years,but I guess I'm just stupid or senile. I'll hobble back to my recliner with my cane. Must be nap time again.

[LeeWay]

I was not taking about anyone else. I was talking about me. I don't know the difference. I know that should have changed by now. It's been over a week since I have held my first Cat 40 tool holder. I think it might take at least a month to know everything there is worth knowing about cat 40 tool holders.

[LeeWay]

I think it is safe to say that I really like this machine. When I finally got the tools and work offsets setup the way I want them, it became very easy to operate.

[LeeWay]

There's a model off the Haas mini mill table in fusion that's set up with joint origins on it

The mini mill table model in Fusion is wrong for the newer mini mills. Slots are in the wrong places. Just an FYI. It didn't bite me. Measure twice, cut once.

[precisionmetal]

This is one I posted on GrabCAD: https://grabcad.com/library/haas-mini-mill-table-1

It's off my 2006 Super Mini Mill.

[daniellyall]

I will let xander know so he can change it's name He's the intern that did it.

[LeeWay]

This is one I posted on GrabCAD: https://grabcad.com/library/haas-mini-mill-table-1

It's off my 2006 Super Mini Mill.

That one looks right.

- - - Updated - - -

I will let xander know so he can change it's name He's the intern that did it.

Thanks, Daniel.