Shop Tips

[ktjwilliams]

Think I'm gonna start posting some shop tip videos here... I will include stuff I do around the shop as well as stuff I do to my Carvewright (Compucarve) Machine...

First up is my ER20 spindle converted to run in the CW.. This is Dan Bergenrud's idea and I followed his instructions which are posted on the forum ..

Next video will be on how to tell if your Square is in fact Square and how to bring it back into square if it's out...

Enjoy and notice that if you didn't know the spindle was spinning you never would know... When it's in such perfect balance like this it run without any vibration and that also helps your bearing and everything else in the machine... NO VIBRATION and SO SO Quiet !!

http://youtu.be/E3KgIAhHqso

[ktjwilliams]

How to find out if your square is in fact square

http://youtu.be/cZ6QH6EdAss

[mtylerfl]

Enjoy and notice that if you didn't know the spindle was spinning you never would know... When it's in such perfect balance like this it run without any vibration and that also helps your bearing and everything else in the machine... NO VIBRATION and SO SO Quiet !!

http://youtu.be/E3KgIAhHqso

Nice video, but I have a comment...you mentioned the spindle being quiet...but I definitely heard it playing some kind of Techno music while it was running.

[ktjwilliams]

Yeah,,, The music is one of those weird side effects of the conversion ...

[lawrence]

just to be clear-- is this a cut motor replacement you've done?

I'm very curious...
Lawrence

[mtylerfl]

just to be clear-- is this a cut motor replacement you've done?

I'm very curious...
Lawrence

I believe he's referring to the ER20 collet adaptation. I think that is something that would be a very good add-on option for CarveWright to offer for the CarveTight spindle for those not comfortable in doing the modification themselves! (like me...I don't own a lathe)

here's a link to ER20 Collets...
http://www.maritool.com/Collets-ER-Collets-ER20-Collets/c21_56_62/index.html

here's a link to Bergerud's post about the modification...
http://forum.carvewright.com/showthread.php?18179-Er-spindle-conversion-–-details&highlight=er20

[ktjwilliams]

There is no alterations to the truck or anything other parts of the machine.. Just cut an ER20 spindle to the specs of the original... You can use the standard truck bearings etc... I did buy new bearings just to avoid the pressing on and off if I want to change spindles.. Cause I also have an ER11 spindle done too.. The ER11 is good upto 1/4 shank while the ER20 lets me go upto 1/2 ..

[bergerud]

In the end, after turning half a dozen different collet extensions, my favorite was an ER16 from Maritool:

http://www.maritool.com/Tool-Holders-Straight-Shank-ER16-Straight-Shank/c23_28_175/p951/ER16-5/8-2.0M-STRAIGHT-SHANK-COLLET-CHUCK/product_info.html

This is the one (after modifying) that I have been using for the last 300 hours. If I remember correctly, Maritool quoted me $138 each to produce such spindles to fit the Carvewright if I ordered at least 12. I was tempted but it seemed a high price. One also has to buy wrenches, collets, and it is nice to have a few extra nuts. In the end, it could cost more than $250 per setup. I think it is well worth it with such a long list of advantages but I was not convinced that others would buy in. The only disadvantage I can see is that you need two wrenches to loosen and tighten the collets. (Unless you also make a lock button.)

[mtylerfl]

In the end, after turning half a dozen different collet extensions, my favorite was an ER16 from Maritool:

http://www.maritool.com/Tool-Holders-Straight-Shank-ER16-Straight-Shank/c23_28_175/p951/ER16-5/8-2.0M-STRAIGHT-SHANK-COLLET-CHUCK/product_info.html

This is the one (after modifying) that I have been using for the last 300 hours. If I remember correctly, Maritool quoted me $138 each to produce such spindles to fit the Carvewright if I ordered at least 12. I was tempted but it seemed a high price. One also has to buy wrenches, collets, and it is nice to have a few extra nuts. In the end, it could cost more than $250 per setup. I think it is well worth it with such a long list of advantages but I was not convinced that others would buy in. The only disadvantage I can see is that you need two wrenches to loosen and tighten the collets. (Unless you also make a lock button.)

I would enjoy the ER collet adaptation for my machines...would be just like my ShopBot, and I don't mind the two wrenches for changing bits...I'm used to that. Particularly attractive is being able to use .25" shank diameter 100% carbide bits without the need for the pressed-on sleeve. Unfortunately, I don't have the chops nor the equipment for making my own modification.

[chief2007]

Has anyone tried the PreciseBits ER16 Collet Adapter? Link is below.

http://www.soigeneris.com/precisebits_er16_collet_adapter-details.aspx

Also I have a spindle with no bit adapter on it and I am researching the best option to use on it. I don't have a lathe so wouldn't be able to make one of my own.

[bergerud]

One of the main advantages I enjoy is the versatility, not only to use bare 1/4 shank carbide but to use carbide shanks of any size. I have 1/8 shank cutting bits with LOC's ranging from 1/4 to 1 1/8. When you use a cutting bit with a LOC of only 1/2 an inch for a shallow mill, for example, you know it is not going to break. I doubt I would have gotten so excited about milling if I was always worried about breaking that expensive CW 1/8 cutting bit. I think that must be why most users stick to carving. It is a bad day when that bit breaks! There is also the fact that 1/8 shank carbide bits of all sorts are a dime a dozen. I have, for example, been having great luck with using two flute bits. They seem much more suited to the CW feed rates.

Another feature is virtually no runout or vibration. The QC wobbled, the Rock and the CT tighten from the side (say no more). I can cut out a hole and a circle and they press fit together! If one does the calculations for bit loads (amount of material each cutting edge removes), the numbers do not allow for much runout. With a three flute bit cutting at the CW rates, runout of the order of 0.005 means that some cutting edges are just rubbing or missing and not cutting at all.

I lobbied hard in the past for the ER collet system and Kevin was the only one I know of that adopted it. I sent him one of my first ER11 conversion attempts. Once he tried it he was hooked and made his own ER20.

If enough people got together, Maritool would make a very high quality ER spindle for the CW. I think it would be a worth while investment for the serious CW user.

[bergerud]

Has anyone tried the PreciseBits ER16 Collet Adapter? Link is below.

http://www.soigeneris.com/precisebits_er16_collet_adapter-details.aspx

Also I have a spindle with no bit adapter on it and I am researching the best option to use on it. I don't have a lathe so wouldn't be able to make one of my own.

I think that adapter is too long for the CW. There are ER11 adapters which might be smaller and work. I remember reading a post of someone using one for those small bits.

[DonCP]

Would like to visit this question again. Has anyone had any experience using Precise Bits ER16?

http://www.precisebits.com/products/equipment/er_colletadapter.asp?tsPT=!!!ER!!!ADAPTER!!!ER16!! !PG!!! They claim its compatible with the Carvewright.

Thanks

[bergerud]

There is no reason to buy an ER16M adapter like this. It would work but it would also hang down very low. The ER16 goes up to 3/8". The ER11M goes up to 1/4". Unless you need 3/8", it is better to go with the smaller ER11M adapter found here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1pcs-1-2...item41756bc469 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1pcs-1-2-ER11-28L-Straight-collet-chuck-and-3pcs-ER11-collet-1-4-3-16and1-8-/281142871145?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item41756bc469)

[DonCP]

Thank you. I think I will try your suggestion.

Where do I get the wrench for it? It is pictured but not included.

Thanks

[bergerud]

The wrench is included.

[DonCP]

Thanks, ordered it.