[JHCHOPPERS]

I have completed and I am selling a 6 tool holder ATC that works with an R8 Spindle. It works great with Mach3, I plan to build a bigger one that can hold 12 tools.

Link to ebay item:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE:IT&ih=019

I have a couple of movies of it in action:
http://www.jhchoppers.com/ebay/cnc/A...1%20to%202.wmv

http://www.jhchoppers.com/ebay/cnc/A...3%20to%201.wmv

Here are some pictures of it:










Thanks,
Joel

[DennisCNC]

Thats a trick idea! What if you use air cylinders instead of steppers to raise the holders.

[cmmachine]

Joel,
Really great idea. I have a bridgeport seriesII cnc and would love a tool changer for it what was the selling price on your unit

Mike.

[JHCHOPPERS]

Update to the dead link and pics

Homemade ATC for an R8 Spindle (several years old)

Thanks,
JH

[gus]

Fun project and all, but the value of CNC VMC's has plummeted in the last 3 years, and 2 1/2 years ago I bought 2 VMC's for 30k. If you need a toolchanger, you are making money on your work, and if you are making money, you can afford a 500 dollar payment.......

VMCS on ebay for short money:
vmc items - Get great deals on Metalworking Tooling, Metalworking Equipment items on eBay.com!

no offense intended, I ran for years with cncs and manual tool changes

[JHCHOPPERS]

I completely agree! This was done several years ago and I was asked to repost some of the pics.

A used VMC is the way to go. That is what I did, you can see my VMC to Mach3 conversion here:

1987 Bridgeport Production Center Interact 412 to Mach3 Conversion

Thanks
JH

[CNC-Joe]

Can you re-post your pictures of your ATC? It would be great for the rest of us to see your work.

[imech]

I think that this a narrow view of what the costs are associated with a decision between a knee mill conversion and used VMC.

A used VMC will require:
1. A robust concrete slab
2. At least 400 sq feet of floor space
3. A 10-14 foot access door at least 10 ft wide
4. 3 Phase Power
5. Shop Air
6. Heavy equipment to transport and install
7. Time and/or money to level and set up correctly
8. Weeks to months to learn the system well enough to accept real work
9. $2000 - $10000 per month for a commercial lease with a 1-3 year commitment
10. Other utilities, insurance, security, and expenses related the commercial lease
11. Hundres to thousands of dollars in tool holders and other tooling

A proper knee mill conversion can cost twice the price of a used HAAS. But it pales in comparison to the total costs associated with owning and operating a VMC. In fact you would need several machines and likley an extra machinist or three and some sales people to justify the costs. You will need operating revenue upwards of $35k just to stay on top of all ogf the costs.

A knee mill conversion can be done in situ in any garage shop and will not incur tens of thousands of dollars in charges each month.

So lets be realistic whenever we are comparing the costs of these things.