[fourwheeler]

I put a deposit on the Novakon NM-135...I am so excited to actually have a mill to play with.

You guys that have one.....can you link me to some collets and stuff that I will need to get started?

[Crevice Reamer]

Congratulations on purchasing a fine mill! Which one did you get? The $3.5K or the $5K?

You CAN buy regular R8 tooling, but I recommend you start collecting Quick Change tooling NOW before you invest a lot into something else. You only need an adapter R8 collet, a few same-size-shank (3/8) end mills, a drill chuck holder, and 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" end mill holders to begin with. You can always add QC collets later.

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...itFast=tormach

http://www.tormach.com/Product_TTS.html

CR.

[fourwheeler]

I ordered the 5K mill. I also upgraded the controller.

[williams480]

I put a deposit on the Novakon NM-135...I am so excited to actually have a mill to play with.

Congrats !

I'm torn between the 135 & 200. I like the 6k spindle on the 135, but I also like the increased travel of the 200, but not $$.

I'm already looking at power drawbars before I even have a machine.
I need help !

Don't forget to post pics. for us that are still procrastinating.

[fourwheeler]

Power drawbars??? Got links??

[Crevice Reamer]

Here's one:

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68939

CR.

[ihavenofish]

Congrats !

I'm torn between the 135 & 200. I like the 6k spindle on the 135, but I also like the increased travel of the 200, but not $$.

I'm already looking at power drawbars before I even have a machine.
I need help !

Don't forget to post pics. for us that are still procrastinating.

the 200 is a really big machine, bordering on the physical size of a haas tm1 mill. if you have room and money though, its also going to be head and shoulders better than the 135 in every way.

[jfischer]

Do keep us informed on the Novakon NM-135. I have been looking at it myself, and doing a lot of reading and asking questions.

I make a lot of one off stuff, so really not sure the mill would be worth all invested, as I have a X2 with a ton of accessories for it, but the CNC part, and the learning curve is tempting me.

The quick change tooling would be nice, as I know on my little X2 when I have a rotary table in it, and a chuck, it is hard to get even a R-8 drill chuck out of it many times.

Only bad thing is my shop is not that big, and has a lot of large woodworking equipment in it now, and trying to figure out what would have to go.

I too am into the R/C aspect of it and like to make parts for the crawlers I have been messing around with over the Winter.

Looking forward to see what you think when it comes in.
Jeff

[williams480]

Power drawbars??? Got links??

Something like this one, or my own twist on it.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...ory=1687114045

The Tormach TTS looks like the way to go with or without a power drawbar.

Good Luck.

[Crevice Reamer]

The quick change tooling would be nice, as I know on my little X2 when I have a rotary table in it, and a chuck, it is hard to get even a R-8 drill chuck out of it many times....

Hi Jeff. Welcome to the Zone!

Jeff, you could add QC tooling right now to your X2. It is either an R8 or a MT3 spindle. That's just an adapter collet. The Actual Tormach QC tooling can be used on either and is transferrable forward.

It can save you a lot of hassle right now. For about $100 (A couple end mill holders and a drill chuck holder --JT number on your chuck, beat out the old arbor) you can get started.

CR.

[fourwheeler]

Something like this one, or my own twist on it.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...ory=1687114045

The Tormach TTS looks like the way to go with or without a power drawbar.

Good Luck.

Linky no worky....this one?

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...2936&category=

[fourwheeler]

Congratulations on purchasing a fine mill! Which one did you get? The $3.5K or the $5K?

You CAN buy regular R8 tooling, but I recommend you start collecting Quick Change tooling NOW before you invest a lot into something else. You only need an adapter R8 collet, a few same-size-shank (3/8) end mills, a drill chuck holder, and 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" end mill holders to begin with. You can always add QC collets later.

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...itFast=tormach

http://www.tormach.com/Product_TTS.html

CR.

Is this the collet I would need for the Tormach quick change tooling?

[Crevice Reamer]

Is this the collet I would need for the Tormach quick change tooling?

This one:

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...2454&category=

CR.

[fourwheeler]

Oops forgot the link in my post, that is the one I was referring to.

What about this?

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...2604&category=

[Crevice Reamer]

That is a very nice tool to have. It will fit right into your tormach 3/8 endmill holder. Maybe better get at least TWO 3/8 endmill holders.

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

You will also need some center (starter) drills and a small drillchuck to hold them. Get a JT2 drill chuck holder and chuck.

A couple of 3/4" Bellville washers under the drawbar makes manual--one wrench--tool changes a breeze. Hold the spindle with your hand, loosen the drawbar 1/2 turn, and bump wrench with heel of hand. Tool falls out into spindle hand. Click in new tool, hold it with hand, tighten drawbar 1/2 turn. Done!

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Here's a 3/8" Tormach endmill holder with a 1/4" endmill, in my mill spindle. Both single and double sided endmills will fit.

CR.

[fourwheeler]

Very nice info, thanks.

[Speedygonzales]

congrats Jerry!
put lots of pics and vids online when it arrives!!!
will follow this thread

[TacPyro]

Jerry, when did you order your NM-135? Kai said that ours should ship out in about two weeks and that was yesterday, 2/19.

Do you plan to use it on the stand or put it on the bench?

What Tormach tooling have you decided to go with?

Are you going to use a rotary table with it?