New Machine options?

[Spinnetti]

Hi all,

In the final throes of getting a new 1100, "Package II" with the PDB I also got the high speed spindle mount (I have a Kress 1000w already), and load meter. I was also thinking of getting the usb extension to use my existing pendant. Couple questions:

1. Can I use a pendant other than Tormach's?
2. Do I need that USB plate (I'm assuming I have to have the door open all the time without it?
3. Any options that you bought you never use and would do without if you were to do it over?
4. Any options you wish you had bought in the first place?

Thanks!

[Steve Seebold]

Hi all,

In the final throes of getting a new 1100, "Package II" with the PDB I also got the high speed spindle mount (I have a Kress 1000w already), and load meter. I was also thinking of getting the usb extension to use my existing pendant. Couple questions:

1. Can I use a pendant other than Tormach's?
2. Do I need that USB plate (I'm assuming I have to have the door open all the time without it?
3. Any options that you bought you never use and would do without if you were to do it over?
4. Any options you wish you had bought in the first place?

Thanks!

I would have bought the extention/compression tapping head.

You need the USB plate. Otherwise you'll be climbing under the machine to upload and download programs. I didn't even put the computer in the stand. I have it sitting on a table next to my machine.

Don't forget to get the Jog Pendant. That makes it a lot easier to move the machine around.

I bought 2 machine arms with my machine, still not sure if I did good there.

Get 2 extra sets of belleville washers for your PDB. I had a problem last week when 2 cracked and one exploded. I was down for 3 days while I waited for replacements. Tormach replaced them under warrantee, but still, I lost 3 days production. Now I have extras. Now that I have extras, I'll probably never have another problem.

I replaced the valve on the coolant line. The valve that came with the line was just too hard to adjust, so I replaced it with a ball valve

By pendant, are you referring to the computer or the monitor? If you're talking about the computer, I bought mine from Tormach. I thought it's configured to run with the machine, so why not. I checked out a computer with the company where I have my computers built, and that were within about $50.00 and I am computer illiterate, so I didn't want to take the chance.

I am a former CNC shop owner and I had a lot of tools, so I skipped the TTS tooling package and bought only the holders I thought I would need. I bought 4 each 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2 inch set screw holders and 6 each ER16 and ER20 collet holders. I'll post pictures later today of my tool setting block and my edge finder.

Other than that, I really like my machine.

[philbur]

Yes, providing you have the right software to interface it with MACH 3.

Phil

1. Can I use a pendant other than Tormach's?

[AiR_GuNNeR]

Take a look at the ShuttleRU. I have their last generation. The new generation allows you to customize the onboard color screen and the buttons are nicely programable.
ShuttleRU_STM32

[FannBlade]

That's route I'm going also.

[Spinnetti]

Thanks...

Reason I asked about the pendant is that I already have one, and have it working under Mach 3 for both my lathe and current mill..

Cheers...

[Jaynboom]

Instead of the USB plate, I just ran a long USB cable to the PC, and mounted the other end near the keyboard to plug in my flash drive. A long USB cable is $4.00 on eBay. I put the CPU (case) in the front storage for easier access if I need it, and to keep it clean. I purchased a flexible (sealed) keyboard on eBay as well. No chips can get under the keys, and it was a whopping $8.00.

I didn't get any arms, or coolant-guards, since I honestly think a full enclosure is required if you run flood-coolant. I think my 2' high enclosure is still too low. I'm adding another 2' when I move the machine to the new house.

I wish I had purchased the power-drawbar to start. I went with the Tormach-PC, since I wanted to get started, trouble-free.

Congrats on the new machine.

[compunerdy]

Not to sidetrack further but.. Whats the price on that ShuttleRU? Not sure I like the idea of sending western union to Russia..

[philbur]

Hi AiR, could you say something about your experience with the buying process and also what you think of the pendant.

Phil

Take a look at the ShuttleRU. I have their last generation. The new generation allows you to customize the onboard color screen and the buttons are nicely programable.
ShuttleRU_STM32

[AiR_GuNNeR]

Hi AiR, could you say something about your experience with the buying process and also what you think of the pendant.
Phil

I was pretty nervous about send my hard earned $$ off to Russia as well. The whole Russia-Western Union combination set off alarm bells. I contacted another guy that had purchased one and all went smoothly so I took the chance. I took care of the Western Union transaction at Meijer. I think the ShuttleRU cost $125 if I recall. Andre was good about letting me know when the package shipped, etc. I actually bought two at the same time to save on shipping, (my buddy got one as well). I think it took ten days to arrive.
When I got it, I found there were some issues with the operation. I would get a rogue button press when I used the center MPG wheel. Andre emailed me the source code to the plugin and I fixed that issue. After using the pendant for a while, I found some additional things that would be useful from a usability as well as safety standpoint, and added a bunch of new features to the plugin.
At this point, let also explain that I don't have any financial interest in the ShuttleRU. I wasn't paid for the software work and don't receive any $$ for any future sales. I did it because it allowed me to make a great tool better and tailered to my needs.
For instance, the ShuttleRu has a "Shift" button that allows you to assign a second function to any button. You press that button to go between "Red" and "Green" modes. There is a Red and Green graphic indicator on screen. I had my pendant set up as the green mode functions were things I normally performed during running operations, and red where setup type items, like homing, zeroing, etc. What would drive me nuts is I would sometimes lose track of what mode I was in and zero out an axis accidentally, or accidentally home an axis, (bad to do with the cutter down). What I did was add a check box option to require a double button press for a function. I also create an option for a "momentary shift to red". Basically, you assign a button to use it like a shift key. That way you are never accidentally in red mode.
Anyway, the new shuttleru also has a user configurable screen and also more buttons. You can uses a screen editor to create your screen layout. I haven't seen this the new version of the shuttle in person, but it looks real cool and I've played with the screen editor, (which they did a real nice job on).

[Peter Neill]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the USB plate? - anyone have a link to it on the Tormach site, as my Googlr-Fu (Tormach-Fu?) is weak at the moment.

[Gerry Sweetland]

Is this it?
31289 - USB Bulkhead Port Assembly
Gerry