x4+ Tool holders

[Martin Long]

Can anyone recommend a good set of tool holders to suit a X4+?

[pzzamakr1980]

If its the r8 spindle purchase a tormach tooling set, you wont regret it. Tool changes are fast and position is dead accurate.

[Ed from NY]

If its the r8 spindle purchase a tormach tooling set, you wont regret it. Tool changes are fast and position is dead accurate.

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The system looks very nice. However, you do need a "collet holder" for each tool assembly you want to have ready to go. That part goes for $92 each. So if you want to have 1 drill chuck and 2 end mills ready to go it costs you $296 for three holders + $62 for two collets and one chuck + $20 for a spindle adapter + $14 for two wrenches (might as well) and another $130 for what looks like a nice off-line height measurement tool (optional). That adds up to about $500 + shipping.

It does seem like a good value for repeatable tool positioning, though $500 is not exactly loose change.

Is there someone else that comes close, or some other system (or even "way of working") that people should be considering before taking the plunge?

[john_t_h]

Hi Martin,

I got the Toolmach (Tormach clone) set off Frans when I got my mill and it is great. Not cheap though.

[Ed from NY]

Hi Martin,

I got the Toolmach (Tormach clone) set off Frans when I got my mill and it is great. Not cheap though.

This seems to be only in Australia. It is from the same company selling Syil machines. Right?

[john_t_h]

yep http://www.toolmach.com.au/product.p...age=1&featured

[LEN1042]

Hi, you can get the originals in the USA and Canada from Tormach directly. www.tormach.com,
Len

[Ed from NY]

Yeap.

I'm/was trying to see what other competitors there are out there in order to get a feel for what is available. Enco has a few and if you google "quick change tooling" you will find others including links to companies that seem to be gone.

I looked at it very quickly. For those that have prices on line the cost per tool assembly is around the same: $120 - $160.