Tormach 770 - Minimum Starter Setup

[Paul-JB]

Manual drawbar tool changes will suck the life out of you. Power draw bar should be very high on your list. Well worth the $
Also, if it's not included in one of the starter sets you listed, the Tormach (conquest) 5" machinist vice is very nice and should also be on the list.

[Viroos]

I know, but it costs $1200. It's definitely on my list, but I will add it when I master the machine and have the money.
What's also on my list is the motorized 4th axis and the ATC. I'm a very big fan of automation of everything (that's why I prefer the automatic oiler now instead of throwing the manual one in the bin later), but, again, these expensive tools won't come on this truck.

The vise - I'm taking the 5" CNC vise (31759). Do you think I should take the machinist vise (30553) instead?

[syscore]

"The vise - I'm taking the 5" CNC vise (31759). Do you think I should take the machinist vise (30553) instead?"

Definitely get the machinist vise (30553). I used to use a vise like the CNC one with my little bench mill. There is no comparison between the two kinds of vises. The vise is probably the most important accessory you will get.

[Viroos]

What's the difference between these two vises?

[tmarks11]

What's also on my list is the motorized 4th axis

Don't buy the 4th axis until you have a project that absolutely needs it... and CAM software that supports it. My bet is that a lot of people buy it and it sits on the shelf for years unused.

What's the difference between these two vises?

Tormach machinist vise is a rebadged Conquest Mini Magnum Vise, which is made is the USA, and is very high quality, like a Kurt D688 (I have both).

The CNC Vise is a chinese vise of lower quality.

[Viroos]

Don't you use the option to put the CNC vise on the side?

[syscore]

What's the difference between these two vises?

Sorry, I thought that was the latch type. My bench mill vise had the same body style (square) but used a latch, which was a pain.

I think the main advantage of the machinist vise is strength and the way it bolts to the table. At least, those are the two factors that have me sold on them.

I actually went with a Glacern 550, which is almost identical to the Tormach 5" machinist vise. Tormach was sold out on machinist vises when I bought my mill, and I have been happy with the Glacern, and will probably add a second one soon.

https://www.glacern.com/gsv_550

[CountrySmith]

My 770 Startup package included the 770, the controller, stand, flood coolant system, TTS tooling package, tool assistant, moving kit, 6" 4th axis kit w/ 3 jaw chuck & tailstock, shuttle jog, clamp kit, and coolant and machine oil. Additionally, I bought a 4" machine vise, a digital dial indicator, additional ER20 collets in 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", and 1/2" and a full set of metric ER20 collets, and additional ER20 collet chucks. I already had edge finders. I also provided my own keyboard, mouse, and monitor. I mounted the monitor to the side of the control cabinet with an articulating CESA TV mount.

I did not buy the automatic oiler, the power drawbar , or the ATC. While nice to have, they were not necessary for my full use of the 770.

Modifications that I subsequently made included improving the table sump, adding a custom LED work light, plumbing the flood coolant system for dual nozzles, a shower curtain, and adding an improved homing system.
RJ

[syscore]

Don't you use the option to put the CNC vise on the side?

I have not had to do that. I make 6" shafts (2.5" dia) with a flange on top (3" dia) that I have to face and drill, but I clamp them vertically in my vise with soft jaws (that I made for the task) and it has been fine. I am a stickler for accuracy and having a solidly mounted (and square) vise is a big part of that. I try to stay under a thou within a 6" to 8" area. A few tenths here and a few tenths there start to add up.

[Viroos]

Just for the sake of order my updated list for your kind review

32084 - PCNC 770 Series 3
31373 - Automatic Oiler (120V)
31748 - PCNC 770 Owner's Kit
31191 - 770 Machine Stand
31446 - Lifting Bar
35286 - PathPilot Controller
35575 - 17" Touch Screen Kit
32336 - Drawbar Wrench/Hammer
31829 - TTS ER Collet Holder: ER20
35356 - TTS Adapter Collet: R8
30616 - Jog Shuttle
32306 - Metric ER20 Collet Set (14 Pcs.)
38207 - Wireless Network Adapter for PathPilot Controller
32799 - 5" Parallel Set
31820 - TTS Set Screw Holder: 3/8"
31289 - USB Bulkhead Port Assembly
32682 - Fog Buster Spray Coolant Kit
31991 - Pneumatic Hose Kit for Power Drawbar/ATC/Fogbuster
30553 - 5" Machinist Vise
31687 - 2pc Vise Alignment Keys with Screws for 5" Machinist Vise


Total: $10,696.46

(Edited the post-removed the oil and the coolant, will buy them locally)

[Viroos]

BTW, how many USB Bulkhead ports do I need?
If the controller sits inside the machine base I can count at least 4 USB cables that should run out:

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Touch screen
4. Wireless adapter

Do you use a USB hub instead or don't put the controller inside the stand?
I have pretty bad experience from these USB hubs, always something doesn't work...

[syscore]

BTW, how many USB Bulkhead ports do I need?
If the controller sits inside the machine base I can count at least 4 USB cables that should run out:

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Touch screen
4. Wireless adapter

Do you use a USB hub instead or don't put the controller inside the stand?
I have pretty bad experience from these USB hubs, always something doesn't work...

I only got (1) USB Bulkhead port, specifically for the wireless adapter, so that I could mount it to the stand (there is only one or two places to mount it).

I also got the Tormach extension kit (#34437) for the keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, and monitor.

https://www.tormach.com/store/index....show&ref=34437

And one additional USB extension (#30279) for the jog shuttle.

https://www.tormach.com/store/index....show&ref=30279

I didn't try a hub, though, I think a good quality one should work. But the extensions work fine.

[Viroos]

But 34437 is only a set of cables... How do you run 4 cables through 1 USB port? Does the stand have dedicated ports for the KB, screen and the mouse? Probably I'm asking a stupid question... actually, there should be other ports for the power and VGA cables, so I believe the separate USB port comes only for the wireless adapter, isn't it?

[CountrySmith]

I don't use the cabinet in the stand. My stand came with a leak. I believe that it is a weld above the angle re-enforcing strip. I drilled a weep hole at the rear of the cabinet but it is still damp in there. Not an ideal location for a computer. My computer sits on a tool cabinet next to the 770. My controller came with 7 USB ports and I use 5 of them; keyboard, mouse , jog-shuttle, height gage, and WiFi adapter.

[syscore]

But 34437 is only a set of cables... How do you run 4 cables through 1 USB port? Does the stand have dedicated ports for the KB, screen and the mouse? Probably I'm asking a stupid question... actually, there should be other ports for the power and VGA cables, so I believe the separate USB port comes only for the wireless adapter, isn't it?

The PathPilot controller has plenty of USB ports. The extension cables connect to that, run out an opening in the stand cabinet, and up to your monitor, mouse, etc. The Bulkhead adapter can actually be mounted on the stand (at least on the 1100 stand). There is a punch out for it. It also plugs into a port on the PathPilot controller. Also, the kit comes with a monitor extension cable (the monitor needs that as well as the USB extension cable). The keyboard and mouse are USB. As CountrySmith said, there are 7 USB ports on the PP controller. I don't know about leaks on the 770 stand, the 1100 stand doesn't have them. It is bone dry in the cabinet. They may have addressed that issue.

[motoeng]

Just for the sake of order my updated list for your kind review

32084 - PCNC 770 Series 3
31373 - Automatic Oiler (120V)
31748 - PCNC 770 Owner's Kit
31191 - 770 Machine Stand
31446 - Lifting Bar
35286 - PathPilot Controller
35575 - 17" Touch Screen Kit
32336 - Drawbar Wrench/Hammer
31829 - TTS ER Collet Holder: ER20
35356 - TTS Adapter Collet: R8
30616 - Jog Shuttle
32306 - Metric ER20 Collet Set (14 Pcs.)
38207 - Wireless Network Adapter for PathPilot Controller
32799 - 5" Parallel Set
31820 - TTS Set Screw Holder: 3/8"
31289 - USB Bulkhead Port Assembly
32682 - Fog Buster Spray Coolant Kit
31991 - Pneumatic Hose Kit for Power Drawbar/ATC/Fogbuster
30553 - 5" Machinist Vise
31687 - 2pc Vise Alignment Keys with Screws for 5" Machinist Vise


Total: $10,696.46

(Edited the post-removed the oil and the coolant, will buy them locally)

FYI, you can get the same monitor direct from Monoprice for $179.99 plus shipping:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15482&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxKqQxuyt1wIVG LbACh050AgxEAQYASABEgK8UvD_BwE

[Viroos]

Shipping to Canada with DHL-another $25.34, add up taxes, DHL fees and charges... just isn't worth it.

[Viroos]

Uh-huh, maybe still worth it:
http://a.co/2aEkuKg

Updated list (for those who are also looking for a perfect starter kit )

32084 - PCNC 770 Series 3
31373 - Automatic Oiler (120V)
31748 - PCNC 770 Owner's Kit
31191 - 770 Machine Stand
31446 - Lifting Bar
35286 - PathPilot Controller
32336 - Drawbar Wrench/Hammer
31829 - TTS ER Collet Holder: ER20
35356 - TTS Adapter Collet: R8
30616 - Jog Shuttle
32306 - Metric ER20 Collet Set (14 Pcs.)
38207 - Wireless Network Adapter for PathPilot Controller
32799 - 5" Parallel Set
31820 - TTS Set Screw Holder: 3/8"
31289 - USB Bulkhead Port Assembly
32682 - Fog Buster Spray Coolant Kit
31991 - Pneumatic Hose Kit for Power Drawbar/ATC/Fogbuster
30553 - 5" Machinist Vise
31687 - 2pc Vise Alignment Keys with Screws for 5" Machinist Vise

[Paul-JB]

If the 770 Stand has openings similar to the 1100 you can simply run the cables thru and protect with some foam insulation or plastic tubing. If no holes exist just use a hole saw? I have 1 usb port to the outside but rarely use it since I ran the lan cable to the machine. I have the factory monitor arm this is how mine is set up

[Viroos]

Thanks, now I see.
Another question: should I buy the dedicated 1280 x 1024 (4:3) monitor, or the Pathpilot will work on any other FullHD screen?