[smokediver576]

Since we do not have a "Rapid Turn" section yet I thought I'd start one. My hope is that once more units get out there we can get the forum admin to add a special section.

After reviewing the Rapid Turn in person at the Tormach open house my thoughts changed on this unit. For one, it was smaller than I had thought which makes it easier to take on and off the mill (yes, it's still a chunk of weight and I'll most likely add some sort of lifting device to help with this task). As a person who cannot swing the investment in a Slant Pro 15 at this time, this seems to be the best option to give me CNC lathe capability. Okay, for starters before any of the flamers out there start.... yes, we understand that this is a light duty machine and to quote one of the folks in the crowd - "it's uses a commercial blender motor" in reference to watt energy. But currently the choices are either a Sherline CNC lathe or a Slant Pro 15, there's not much in the middle unless you want to do a retrofit or use an older machine (like the one I've invested in converting - Emco PC Turn 105 - but that's a whole forum post in itself).

So to start the questions and comments off (just FYI I ordered mine yesterday - however they are back-ordered until sometime in late August):

(1) I found it interesting when demoing the threading that they never actually cut in the part, only air cutting. I further question it's threading capability when you consider that in the "Deluxe Tooling Package" that there are no threading tools in there....
RT-DELUXE-1100 - RapidTurn You would think that if they were setting up a deluxe package it would include at least basic threading tools.

(2) I wish they had put a lifting point (eye bolt) on the main housing to make it easy for removal.

(3) Originally I was concerned about the swap over (especially on the PCNC 1100) but after seeing what was involved I was no longer concerned.

So, anyone who has purchased one - please post up pics, videos and first impressions!

Later,
Awall

[sharmstr]

I'm really interested in knowing more about its threading capabilities. Its the main reason I want to buy one. I called them today and the tech assured me that it works great. I'd really love to see a video of it though.

I thought you may be on to something regarding not including a threading tool in their deluxe kit. But for what its worth, they dont include one in their $1200 15L starter kit either.

Good to know that you dont have concerns about the swap over. Im not sure what it entails, but its still good to hear.

The tech I spoke with didnt have an ETA on the new units so thank you for that information as well. I'm very close to ordering my first Tormach (actually my first CNC mill) so I might wait until the end of August now.

-shawn

[MichaelHenry]

The RapidTurn apparently uses a revolution counter for threading. By that I mean one count per revolution, which was the same way the Duality lathe worked and that was fine for threading in the parts I made with one. The issue with the Duality for me was that spindle torque was too low to thread some metals. Another issue was that the tool post could slip if the spindle stalled as happened to me with the Duality. I think that Tormach may have redesigned the toolholding system to be more robust, but that's mostly a guess.

Also someone from Tormach at the Open House recommended that the motor be removed separately from the main unit to reduce the weight. I think that the main unit is only 40 lbs or so which should be pretty easy for all but the most feeble of us to handle.