[ArticCynda]

Hi everyone,

I recently inherited a CNC router without any documentation. I have very limited knowledge, so if permitted, I'd like to ask some beginner questions.

Firstly, the router came with a 3 mm end mill installed, but without any tools to change the cutter. It appears the shaft of the spindle can be blocked with a regular 17 mm spanner, but I have no idea what kind of tool is needed to loosen the nut itself. It appears to have some grooves in it that a specialised tool can probably snap into, but I don't know what it would look like, let alone what to search for online. See pictures in attachment.

Does anyone happen to recognise this fastening mechanism? Any name or direction is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,

AC

[RaderSidetrack]

It looks to me as though a smaller version of this collet wrench would probably work:

https://www.travers.com/product/lynd...nch-67-814-634

[fc60]

Greetings,

What is the diameter of the nut with the slots?

Here is a link to a hook spanner that may fit.

https://www.mcmaster.com/6975A12/

Cheers,

Dave

[ArticCynda]

What is the diameter of the nut with the slots?
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Hi Dave,

Thanks for your thoughts! The diameter of the nut with the slots is 18 mm. Would the hook spanner you linked work with that? I assume the diameter is quite important to have a good "grip" and prevent it from slipping?

AC

[fc60]

Greetings,

The McMaster spanner has a range of 16-20mm diameter.

Thus far, it is the closest fit.

Unless you can source a spanner specifically made for 18mm.

Cheers,

Dave

[mactec54]

Greetings,

The McMaster spanner has a range of 16-20mm diameter.

Thus far, it is the closest fit.

Unless you can source a spanner specifically made for 18mm.

Cheers,

Dave

You want to use the correct wrench for the collet nut, is this an ER collet post a photo of a collet, if it is an ER collet nut then you need the correct wrench for that size collet nut

You may have to use the hook wrench if nothing else is available, ideal they will have 2 or more teeth that engage in the nut

[ArticCynda]

Hi Dave,

I've just ordered the McMaster spanner, fingers crossed! Very odd that it's so hard to find the right tool, surely the manufacturers of the nut must have thought about the (un)availability of a matching tool in advance?!

I'll report on the success or failure of the operation when the spanner arrives.

AC

[mactec54]

Hi Dave,

I've just ordered the McMaster spanner, fingers crossed! Very odd that it's so hard to find the right tool, surely the manufacturers of the nut must have thought about the (un)availability of a matching tool in advance?!

I'll report on the success or failure of the operation when the spanner arrives.

AC

Is that nut on a Perske spindle

[ArticCynda]

The spindle is an ISEL UFM500 universal spindle: https://www.isel.com/en/universal-mi...e-ufm-500.html
Sadly the website doesn't give any hints on which tool to use to unfasten the nut.

I've tried ordering the spanner Dave suggested from McMaster, but they refuse to sell it to me because of "the cost of complying with U.S. export regulations" whatever that means. However, now that I have a pretty good idea of what the tool looks like, I'm going to try milling one myself using the cutter that's already in the spindle (and hope it doesn't break!).

[mactec54]

The spindle is an ISEL UFM500 universal spindle: https://www.isel.com/en/universal-mi...e-ufm-500.html
Sadly the website doesn't give any hints on which tool to use to unfasten the nut.

I've tried ordering the spanner Dave suggested from McMaster, but they refuse to sell it to me because of "the cost of complying with U.S. export regulations" whatever that means. However, now that I have a pretty good idea of what the tool looks like, I'm going to try milling one myself using the cutter that's already in the spindle (and hope it doesn't break!).

You could make one by bolting 2 aluminum blocks together just with a rough V shape cut in it you may need a round pin in a drilled hole, so it won't slip

It seems that your spindle may be using a standard ER11 collet 8° so you could get a different ER11 Nut that can use a regular wrench like this

[fc60]

@ArcticCynda,

"Export Regulations"?

Where are you located?

Cheers,

Dave

[ArticCynda]

I've gone ahead and milled a spanner that looks like the one for sale, and it worked well from the first try: I managed to get the nut off the spindle, and have successfully swapped the cutter.

In case someone else is faced with the same problem, for reference, I've attached the DXF file for this home-made 18 mm C-spanner. I've used a 3 mm cutter to mill it from a sheet of 6061 alu with 3 mm thickness, which seems strong enough.

Mactec54, thank you for the tip regarding the ER11 nut. I'll have a look into this and see if it fits, if so, it might be an easier alternative than the current nut.

Dave, I currently live in south England so I suspect they just didn't want to go through the effort of shipping a single spanner across the Atlantic...

A big thank you to everyone who did the effort to reply and help in this thread, it's hugely appreciated!

AC