TL1 Tooling Acc. Question

[elaganis]

Being that I do a ton of prototype work, I'm constantly switching out my 5C collet system to an 8" BTC chuck and back. This usually takes 20-30 min. at it's quickest. A real pain but this is what Haas sold to us. Does anyone know of a faster system? I use to switch out a 5C to a 10" chuck on an old mazak in less than 5 minutes without needing to use an indicator. Just seems silly since my post WWII hardinge can do it in 30 sec.

-E

[DEAN]

I have this issue too. I switch a lot from chuck to collets. Other than saying, with practice you will get faster with the swap out;
The only thing I can think of that would be quicker (if it exsits) would be a a direct mount a2-5 3 jaw chuck. For that matter I would love a direct mount 4 jaw.
What I did was bored step chucks with the larger stock sizes I use.. 2",2.5" 3", etc.. I go easy when using these.
The other thing was getting a 4" 3-jaw with a 5C arbor on it for the quickie chuck need.
If you haven't tried them yet; Try using Hardinge step chucks with their closers. Nice, nice, nice.

[elaganis]

Hey Dean, true I do like the stepped 5C collets. I've actually started making a set past 1.25" however...They lack holding force and forget thru chucking. I've already flung a few parts out. I hold out as long as I can with the 5Cs before mounting the big chuck. Not good because I'm getting lazy and it's not cost effective spending time in setup.

[DEAN]

In sizes 2" and up the hardinge collets with the closer hold MUCH better than regular 5C collets since you're using a taper on the OD of the collet.
If you need thru chuck, then your stuck with the chuck.
Here is a A2-5 10" chuck.
Are you using the set true type with the back plate?

[elaganis]

Yes, 6 bolts to the stub tapered spindle and then 6 more bolts from that face-plate thru the chuck itself. Plus all the work to indicate for center and square. Total pain.

[DEAN]

There must be a direct A2-5 mount 8" chuck out there. I looked in the BISON catalog and didn't see one. Maybe someone out there will ring in with some info.
It does suck to exchange the two. But there is room for improvement in your exchange time. I got mine down to about 12 minutes. This is set tru type dialed in to ~.0002". Less if I am going for .001"

[elaganis]

I found something!

The Master Jaw System, from EDI tooling systems has something for sale thru ajaxchuck.com with claims a 5 minutes 5C to JAW lathe chuck system. Curious if anyone has this?

-E

[DEAN]

http://www.energy-dynamics-inc.com/mstrjaw.html

This what you are talking about?

Looks clever, but I think with this system employed on the tl-1 you would lose the main features of a collet like accuracy and quick part change out.

By the looks of the above web page it also looks like they only have it for high end chucks.

[elaganis]

Well the accuracy is not that much worse than the standard <.0005" I see on the TL1 w/5c. And sometimes for what I do it will not matter.
I did leave a message with them about seeing if it can work with a std. TL1 chuck.
I'm getting desperate ...I've even considered buying the Haas HPCL as the other solution. But a second lathe is just too costly right now.

[DEAN]

http://www.kalamazooindustries.com/_...c_in_chuck.jpg

How about this?