How do I pack a toolholder?

[student123]

I'm having my first go with a Taig lathe. using a suggestion from:

http://webspace.webring.com/people/jl/leon_heller/taig.html

to face some ali.

The bit that says
"If the tool isn't the correct height, you'll need to pack the toolholder"

Obviously it means adjusting the height, but how ?

 

[websterz]

I'm having my first go with a Taig lathe. using a suggestion from:

http://webspace.webring.com/people/jl/leon_heller/taig.html

to face some ali.

The bit that says
"If the tool isn't the correct height, you'll need to pack the toolholder"

Obviously it means adjusting the height, but how ?

It means adding shims under the tool to cause it to sit higher in the holder. Strips cut from of soda cans or aluminum foil work well.

 

[Tin Falcon]

the easiest way to adjust tool height is with a quick change tool holder. That is why they are so popular.
that aside you need to place metal strips under the tool to get your height. In general use as few strips as possible and as thick as possible. usually a few strips of steel packing strap or beverage can will do it. Take care not to have sharp pieces sticking out to get in the way or cut yourself on. also if you tape the shims to the tool once you are set you can keep the stack with the tool when you take it out and put another tool in. The easiest way to check for center height is to put a 6" rule between the cutter and the round stock held gently. the rule will be vertical when correct height is achieved .
Tin

 

[rake60]

I use brass shims to adjust the tool height.

I picked this brass strip and sheet set up at the local hobby store
several years ago.

The thicknesses range is from .002" to .125"
I didn't buy it for the purpose of making tool shims, but it sure has
been convenient in that need.

Rick

 

[Deanofid]

I use a pack of shims similar to what Rake shows.
Just cut a few dozen strips of different thicknesses and as long as the space under the tool allows in the Taig tool holder.

A QC tool post might be nice, but their size is borderline ridiculous for a lathe the size of the Taig. I have about 10 stock tool posts setup and ready to go for mine. That amounts to about half the price of a QCTP, and you can swap them out in less than 10 seconds.

See the link below my name if you're interested in Taig stuff. Many of the projects there were made with just my Taig lathe.

 

[radfordc]

Buy the cheapest set of feeler gauges you can find...or two. Gives you a complete set of stainless steel shims of various thicknesses.

Charlie

 

[Tin Falcon]

dean i was forgetting how cheap the tool holders are for the Taig makes sense to have a good handful. The A2Z CNC toolposts are nice but they go for about 90 bucks
get a handful of these
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32214
tin

 

[Deanofid]

Tin, I just keep a number of those Taig tool holders with different tools in each, and then change them out. They're good value for the money.
Hobby shops sell K&S shim packs for about $5. They have a lot more material to cut up than a set of feeler gauges, though either way will get a guy some shim stock.

Note tool holders on the shelf. I find them pretty handy, but it's just the way it works out for me.

 

[student123]

OK thanks. I'll have a delve. There doesny seem to be much clearnace to insert metal, but Ill see what I can do.

With my learners mind , not sure why a tool holder doesnt have 2 heights (opposite sides) (or 4 , one on each side).

Thanks again.

 

[Tin Falcon]

With my learners mind , not sure why a tool holder doesnt have 2 heights (opposite sides) (or 4 , one on each side).

Some do . that is just the way taig does it.
Tin

 

[Omnimill]

The metal strapping often found holding stuff on pallets is also good packing

Vic.

 

[miker]

student123, just to be sure were all on the same page here, you are going to pack
the tool up in the toolholder. Not lift the toolholder itself up.

Your comment "There doesny seem to be much clearnace to insert metal, but Ill see what I can do." made
me wonder.

What sort of tool do you have in the toolholder? 1/4" , 5/16" square High Speed Steel??

Hope I'm not confusing the issue.

 

[student123]

Mike in Oz,

Yes well spotted - my 1st interpretation had been to put material under the tool holder. I later figured out that "pack the toolholder" means put shims under the toobit.
I have 1/4inch HSS toolbits, as supplied by Taig.

The guy who sold me also provided some other bits advising "these are non Taig & will need to be ground"
One lot is 1/4inch & one 3/16ths
I dont know the material , they say "eclipse H5 England on the side"

<pause for a quick web search>
http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/en/printable/node/949

says they are 5% cobalt , so maybe a steel/cobalt mix?

I dont yet know how to grind toolbits, so will stick with the HSS for now. Unlike the ones on that web link , mine have diagonal ends, so as yet I'm not sure why I cant just go ahead & use them, but thats for a later lesson?

Not at all confusing the issue, the help is appreciated.


Mike in England

 

[miker]

Hi Mike, were closing in!!!

HSS (High Speed Steel) is what you have in your tool holder and what you have in the yet to be ground blanks.

The fact that the ends of the blanks are cut at an angle will save a bit of work when you come to grind them.
You can not use them as they are. See here... http://images.google.com.au/imgres?...q=taig+tool+holder&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbs=isch:1

the wooden model shows what your blanks will look like after grinding.

Your cut is taken with the top of the rounded nose on the wooden mock up.

The 5% cobalt in your HSS makes your blanks more wear resistant in use. After you have ground them to look a bit
like the wooden mock up of course. Good feature!!

Is it possible to post a photo of what you currently have in your tool holder?

Forgetting the grinding of new tools for the moment, I am more interested to see what you already have in the toolholder,
and why there is not much room for shims to pack it up!!

Also, do you know why you want to adjust the height? In other words, do you know how to determine
that the tool is on centre height.

You may gather from my questions, that I went through this same ordeal

Keep the questions coming until we get it sorted!!

Rgds

 

[steamboatmodel]

Mike in England,
If you do not have any ground tool bits you should pick up a set before you try doing your own. there is a Taig dealer in England,
Peatol Machine http://www.peatol.com/ . They have a starter set of bits. 1095 6 piece tool bit set - HSS, left & right, round nose, boring bar, cutoff, 45 degree chamfer Price £22.00 UK Carriage, Packing,& Insurance £2.00
Regards,
Gerald.

 

[Maryak]

Mike,

I've been following along and trying to visualize your problem. Maybe we are using some different terms. ???

Toolpost - the part mounted on the lathe compound/top slide in which the toolholder is held with a bolt, (lantern/American) or a square block with 3 or 4 bolts on each side, (4 way toolpost).

Toolholder - the part mounted in the toolpost in which the toolbit is held. In those used with HSS the toolbit is often mounted at an angle so it can be moved in our out to bring the cutting tip of the bit to centre height.

Toolbit - This is the part that does the actual cutting. they may be held in a tool holder or mounted directly in the toolpost depending on size configuration etc.

Hope this helps

Best Regards
Bob

 

[student123]

Mike in Oz,

Sorry no pics at present I'm on a learning curve on that too.
Bear with me & I'll figure it out. So far managed to post a small pic.
Meanwhile I've had a play with different configuration of the toobits,so things are coming along.

Gerald, thanks I have a set of Taig tolbits, going up a learning curve.

Mike