Does anyone know if a gang tool holder is available for the eldorado bridgemill when in the lathe mode. Would like to know source if any capable of holding at least eight tools.
Does anyone know if a gang tool holder is available for the eldorado bridgemill when in the lathe mode. Would like to know source if any capable of holding at least eight tools.
Do you mean an indexing tailstock turret? The most tool positions that I have seen for one that fits a 3MT is 6 tools.
Dennis
No. On the axis normally used for cuting threads etc.
I think it would be so big it would be in the way on such a small lathe. A quick change tool post takes only a few seconds to swap holders and the tool height is preset, might that meet your requirements?
Dennis
I'm guessing you'll have like 10" of travel? A purpose-built small gang lathe like an Omniturn GT-Jr has 9" of travel, so this is doable.
FWIW, here is my page where I am designing a gang slide for my small lathe:
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCLatheCNCGangSlide.html
It's a long-term project, so don't hold your breath for updates, LOL.
You should also consider a turret. Hardinge turrets are available used from eBay at decent prices. Two threads here on the 'Zone are really worth looking at in conjunction.
First, Widgitmaster built a manual turret from one for his manual lathe:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33813
I'd read through that and you'll get a lot of good info.
Second, have a look at Vince's rebuild of a Hardinge CHNC lathe which is the CNC version of this turret:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...highlight=chnc
Good pix and data on how he is setting up his turret.
Whatever you decide to do, it's worth noting that the Hardinge turrets, and a lot of gang tooled lathes like the Omniturn all work with the same tooling. I plan to use those T-slot dimensions so I can take advantage of all the used tooling available on eBay.
Cheers,
BW
The joint plan looks like it will be 2 quick change tool holders for the time being and then probably custom fabricate a gang too holder.
What about a small tool post for each tool?
That is a viable option but I may just make it on 1 block of metal.
I noticed a Dorian manual vertical index turret that holds 8 tools in the JTS catalog, page 500. It doesn't show up on the JTS website. The Dorian catalog doesn't have a direct url, but you can go to their catalog and select the turret section:
http://doriantool.com/
It's pretty high end, I guess, the set that fits a 12" lathe, part number S-NVIT8-50 from JTS is $2151. Here are some screen caps from the Dorian catalog. Dennis