Planning to purchase. Options?

[Spinnetti]

I'm planning on getting an 1100 and wonder a few things:

> Any compelling need for auto oiler over manual? I'm not going to run "lights out" or anything, and its just for hobby use.

> If you had to do over, would you get the power drawbar?

> Same as above, only TTS. Its it that much better over just using R8 collets?

[philbur]

With the manual oiler you pull the plunger once every 4 hours of operation. So it's price vs convenience. For hobby use the auto is total unnecessary.

Power drawbar vs manual drawbar is also about convenience. For hobby use it's also unnecessary, but if you have the cash!!! You have to also figure the noise of the compressor into the convenience equation.

TTS vs R8 shank. TTS is more convenient and you need to buy tooling anyway so you may as well take advantage of the TTS.

Phil

I'm planning on getting an 1100 and wonder a few things:

> Any compelling need for auto oiler over manual? I'm not going to run "lights out" or anything, and its just for hobby use.

> If you had to do over, would you get the power drawbar?

> Same as above, only TTS. Its it that much better over just using R8 collets?

[TXFred]

The power drawbar is only works with TTS. If you're going to use R8 tooling, skip the drawbar.

The drawbar can be a real time saver if you're doing certain kinds of work. For instance, my current project requires nine tools and three setups. And some of the tools are used for less than a minute before they have to be changed out To make a single part, I have to do about 15 tool changes.

If I didn't have the drawbar, all those manual tool changes would add up quickly.

If, on the other hand, you will do jobs where a single tool can stay in the spindle for hours, then the drawbar and TTS aren't as advantageous.

Frederic

[Spinnetti]

Thanks guys... I'm leaning towards the manual oiler and the TTS/Drawbar. I'm very careful in design to minimize tooling changes, but I really dislike the tool change dance. I have a compressor in the garage, and plumbed into my basement shop already (for my mist cooler and general shop air), so compressor isn't a problem. I'd really like the auto tool changer tool, but can't quite see the value in that much investment in a hobby machine.. At that total price point, I could just get a used pro machine (but I don't really have the room or 3 ph power)..

[rowbare]

I am a hobbyist too. I really like the power drawbar. You might consider getting some extra TTS holders, you will never have too many ER20 collet holders. If your budget allows, the Haimer Zero Masters are really sweet. Some prefer the analog version since you can sneak up on zero a bit more easily.

bob

[David Bord]

Power draw bar and tts is well worth the $$ IMHO. I'm a hobbyist as well.

David

[WOTDesigns]

I'm not in the PCNC owners club yet but use TTS and IMHO its a must. If a $10K toy is a "hobby" then you can afford the PDB & TTS

I'm engraving some ornaments for my family and had to order some more ER20 holders because just doing test cuts I got sick of stopping, pulling the holder, breaking the nut loose, changing from 1/8" 60* engraver to 1/32" Ball End Mill, throwing it back in the machine, having a piece of paper and re zeroing out. over and over. and over. and over.

to me not having TTS is like using a bicycle pump to inflate the tires on your Ferrari every morning...

[philbur]

The TTS has the advantage of speed of change compared to R8 holders. R8 holders have the advantage that they will not pull-out under heavy load. Both have good Z axis repeatability.

So it's horses for courses, for most people a selection of each is possibly the way to go.

Phil

[Don Clement]

IMO the PDB is essential.

Don

[C*H*U*D]

I ordered the automatic oiler and mine showed up with the manual. After thinking about it, I contacted Tormach, asked for a refund and kept the manual. I don't do any unattended long machining runs, so I used the $210 for more tooling instead.

Really wish I had a power drawbar though.

[Spinnetti]

Good feedback... I have a 1000w Kress for the small stuff and most of what I do is the small stuff That said, I think I'll get the tts and PDB. Next, I need to sell my servo'd Grizzly G1006 to help pay for it as its sitting where I need to put the tormach!

[kevinro]

Big fan of the power draw bar. I also returned the auto-oiler. I really like the TTS system, it makes tool changes with the PDB very quick and easy. So far, good choices.