[Spinnetti]

Ok, exposing my ignorance (again)...

I got the 8" Tormach 4th axis kit/table, and also got the 5c collet chuck for it, but now need to mount some big stuff. I have an 8" plain back chuck I want to mount to the 8" table... Where do I get a backing plate for that, and does it have a particular name? (chuck is plain back, not d mount or anything)...

Since I already have several chucks, I'd prefer to just get some backing plate instead of more chucks....

I ebayed and can't seem to figure it out, but need to get setup ASAP, so any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

[Steve Seebold]

Why don't you just buy a chunk of 1.25" material and make your own mounting plate.

[GLCarlson]

Most of the usual suspects sell backing plates, both semi-machined and blank. Enco, for sure. Wholesale Tool, too. I've generally found that an unmachined plate is cheaper than buying big diameter stock from a local supplier (which is all it is- a slice off a bar, rough machined), but that's been for cast iron. I stick with CI for the lathe; here, I might use 7075 or Fortal aluminum just to help with the overall weight.

[Spinnetti]

Most of the usual suspects sell backing plates, both semi-machined and blank. Enco, for sure. Wholesale Tool, too. I've generally found that an unmachined plate is cheaper than buying big diameter stock from a local supplier (which is all it is- a slice off a bar, rough machined), but that's been for cast iron. I stick with CI for the lathe; here, I might use 7075 or Fortal aluminum just to help with the overall weight.

Thanks... I see that most of these use a chuck smaller than the table, but I'm trying to use both at the same size... On my old manual one, I just drilled and tapped holes in the table to mount the chuck (chuck had holes through the face), but would rather not drill the new table....

[Don Clement]

I used Aluminum tooling plate to mount 5C and 6" three-jaw to my 8"RT Alcoa Mold & Tooling Products -- Mic 6® Aluminum Cast Plate

Don Clement

[Spinnetti]

I used Aluminum tooling plate to mount 5C and 6" three-jaw to my 8"RT Alcoa Mold & Tooling Products -- Mic 6® Aluminum Cast Plate

Don Clement

Thanks... In this case table and chuck are same diameter, so not so easy. I decided to just buy a 6" chuck and plate from Tormach and not jack around with it.... I can always sell off one of my "manual" tables.

[GLCarlson]

For those who may not know him, Scott Krezinski at fortal.biz sells a species of 7075-like Al which has some very nice properties, and machines like a dream.

Scott is a real gent, and a delight to buy from. If you need high strength aluminum alloy, check him out. Just leave the pieces I need in inventory!

[Don Clement]

For those who may not know him, Scott Krezinski at fortal.biz sells a species of 7075-like Al which has some very nice properties, and machines like a dream.

I use tooling plate (not for its high strength- aluminum tooling plate is dead soft) for fixtures because without internal strain tooling plate keeps it dimensions after machining. BTW I was thinking of a plate the same size as the 8”RT between the 8” chuck and RT that the chuck bolts to. I have made two adapter plates from tooling plate one for a 5C chuck and another for a 6” 3jaw chuck.

Don Clement