[UtahSmitty]

Thanks, Jim. I have some various NMTB tooling for another mill and I tried to insert it in the spindle on the Tree 310. Even when I took the nut off, the outside diameter of the flange was too big to work with it. I believe this is an Erickson 30 QC spindle, but I'll have to try to find some brand name Erickson, Kennametal, or Valenite tool holders... the one's I've seen are pricey...

Smitty

[Jim Dawson]

Thanks, Jim. I have some various NMTB tooling for another mill and I tried to insert it in the spindle on the Tree 310. Even when I took the nut off, the outside diameter of the flange was too big to work with it. I believe this is an Erickson 30 QC spindle, but I'll have to try to find some brand name Erickson, Kennametal, or Valenite tool holders... the one's I've seen are pricey...

Smitty

I did buy some standard NMTB 30 holders, I just turned down the flange, and also narrowed it up a bit.

[UtahSmitty]

I did buy some standard NMTB 30 holders, I just turned down the flange, and also narrowed it up a bit.

Jim

How did you narrow up the flange? There's instructions available from Erickson on how to narrow the flange, and the dimensions, etc. but they say to use a cylindrical grinder--for accuracy I suppose.

I don't have access to a cylindrical grinder, but I do have a 12" lathe with a 4 jaw chuck. I maybe could rig up a tool post grinder but I hate to get grinding grit on the ways, etc.

Smitty

[Jim Dawson]

Jim

How did you narrow up the flange? There's instructions available from Erickson on how to narrow the flange, and the dimensions, etc. but they say to use a cylindrical grinder--for accuracy I suppose.

I don't have access to a cylindrical grinder, but I do have a 12" lathe with a 4 jaw chuck. I maybe could rig up a tool post grinder but I hate to get grinding grit on the ways, etc.

Smitty

I just used my 13 inch lathe and carbide tool bits, the $2.00 ones from Harbor Freight, 1/2 inch AR-8, but I suppose any decent carbide bit would do.

I didn't take any material off of the bottom of the flange, only the top. That way the original concentricity is not disturbed, the top of the flange should not touch the spindle nose before the taper is fully engaged, there should be a bit of clearance between the flange and the spindle nose when seated in the taper.

Over the years I have scrounged up some genuine Erickson QC holders at pretty good prices, so they are out there if a bit hard to find. EBay is a pretty good source as is Craigslist.

[UtahSmitty]

I just used my 13 inch lathe and carbide tool bits, the $2.00 ones from Harbor Freight, 1/2 inch AR-8, but I suppose any decent carbide bit would do.

I didn't take any material off of the bottom of the flange, only the top. That way the original concentricity is not disturbed, the top of the flange should not touch the spindle nose before the taper is fully engaged, there should be a bit of clearance between the flange and the spindle nose when seated in the taper.

Over the years I have scrounged up some genuine Erickson QC holders at pretty good prices, so they are out there if a bit hard to find. EBay is a pretty good source as is Craigslist.

Ok... I thought a good carbide bit might do it. I'm a little confused, though... all of the toolhoolders I checked had a gap between the spindle nose and the toolholder flange, what I understand you calling the top of the flange. It seems to me that if the collar's too thick, you'd have to take material off the tool bit side (bottom??) of the flange to allow the collar to operate.

Just wondering...

Smitty

[Jim Dawson]

Ok... I thought a good carbide bit might do it. I'm a little confused, though... all of the toolhoolders I checked had a gap between the spindle nose and the toolholder flange, what I understand you calling the top of the flange. It seems to me that if the collar's too thick, you'd have to take material off the tool bit side (bottom??) of the flange to allow the collar to operate.

Just wondering...

Smitty

OK, a senior moment, I'm 70 so I can have those. I did those about 5 years ago. You made me get up from my chair and go out the the shop to look at a modified tool holder. You are correct, I did take the material off of the tool bit side.

[UtahSmitty]

OK, a senior moment, I'm 70 so I can have those. I did those about 5 years ago. You made me get up from my chair and go out the the shop to look at a modified tool holder. You are correct, I did take the material off of the tool bit side.

LOL No problem. I'm 65, and my senior moments are turning into hours... thanks for all your help.

Smitty