Originally Posted by
NC Cams
A VMC machine tool spindle IS NOT A BROACH nor a SHAPER nor should it be used in place of one of in place of one for that matter. Nor are screw drivers chissels nor should you pound screws with hatchets.
The bearings in a machine tool spindle will brinnell quite easily if a static load load is applied to them when the spindle is NOT turning when axial load is applied to the spindle. Since you don't know if the overload protection of the spindle is in fact callibrated for the application of a static load as opposed to a dynamic one, you can't rely upon the machine tool maker's protection circuitry to keep you out of trouble.
If I caught an employee doing that (using the VMC as a shaper or broach), I'd fire them on the spot.
BTW, in my younger days I did that "no no" and learned the hard way how much it costs to rectify such stupidity when I did it to a a drill press.
Do what you want but I wouldn't do that....