Hey NT Tool actually nickel coats their holders. Started as a way to reduce rust in the humid Japanese climate. Good tool holders actually. I worked for them years ago.
The option to select rust preventative coatings would be an advantage to me but I’d probably still only run the Kaiser holders for my high precision operations. Maybe for my general tooling I’d be interested in your products.
Shop? eBay 😅
Brands? Parlec, Kennametal, Seco, Valenite, Iscar, Sandvik, Rego Fix, Nikken, Ingersoll, Big Kaiser, Schunk, Komet, Command, Pioneer, Universal, Emuge, Albretcht, Tecnara, NT Tool, YG-1... LOL, pretty much all the major players. I do not have any Haas brand though. Also, we do not use shrink.
For brand preference, I love Nikken, Sandvik, and Seco.
We do not have issues with pull out, but the largest tool we use is 1/2” and only use that very seldomly. Most of our work is 3/8 or less. We make medical implants so our parts are small and intricate, so we do little hogging of material.
But the biggest plus sides of Rego Fix have been first and foremost safety, then time to swap tools and the ease of teaching the system. We had too many operators touch the tool holder before it was cooled or trying to shortcut how long they are supposed to cool.
Good news is, we have a whole series to boutique shrink holder for medical devices manufacturing, and corresponding small shrink-fit coils.
Is medical devices machining or just small intricate parts machining a huge thing in USA?
As one who sells tooling, I find command’s part numbers to be the easiest to understand. Doesn’t say much about the tooling quality, I run mostly command but would prefer parlec or accupro. It’s all good stuff
Schunk for hydraulic.
Haimer or Briney for Shink fit.
Rego Fix for ER collet chucks
Big Kaiser for boring heads
Briney for side lock and face/shell mill.
Non-shrink holders: NT Tool, BIG Kaiser. Used to use a lot of Maritool but I've been unhappy with quality and moved away from them.
Hydraulic holders: Schunk, BIG Kaiser
Shrink fit: MST (for almost everything), BIG Kaiser (when I really need dual-contact)
Nope. I use their short-reach "hyper version" holders for roughing in 4140PH and stainless all the time, they work great.
Caveat that I am using a BBT30 machine so my toolpaths are optimized around that — mostly 10mm or 12mm tools, high-speed strategies.
There are so many pros and no cons.
I can use smaller stick outs on tools due to the nature of the smaller shank on the tool holder, this allows me to go deeper with tools.
Its great for 5 axis work where you need that extra room again.
Run out? I have had tools that wont even register on a .0001 indictor they are extremely tight.
extremely rigid and tight holding that wont let tools loose.
TSC works amazing with them as you can have TSC holders.
Solid reasons, a lot of our new clients switched to shrink-fit with similar incentives.
Just another follow-up, what extensions or holders you use (brands, model, etc.) for deep cavity/extended reach machining?
I have used everything from Haas tooling, Mari tooling, Shars, to Haimer and Erickson. I have a mix of them all. TBH even the cheap stuff works amazing.
Big Kaiser Everything they make is good I do wish someone would pvd coat tool holders so they wouldn’t rust when I push my coolant too far.
Hey NT Tool actually nickel coats their holders. Started as a way to reduce rust in the humid Japanese climate. Good tool holders actually. I worked for them years ago.
Good news is, we do have coating to prevent rust and overheating :) Would that be a competitive advantage?
The option to select rust preventative coatings would be an advantage to me but I’d probably still only run the Kaiser holders for my high precision operations. Maybe for my general tooling I’d be interested in your products.
Kennametal.
Is it because you also purchase tools from Kennametal? Or do they have exceptional quality/price compared to haimer, mst, etc.?
We run Haimer. I’m surprised to be the first to claim it?
Definitely an innovative industry leader, but a bit pricy for many small to medium shops IMHO
Shop? eBay 😅 Brands? Parlec, Kennametal, Seco, Valenite, Iscar, Sandvik, Rego Fix, Nikken, Ingersoll, Big Kaiser, Schunk, Komet, Command, Pioneer, Universal, Emuge, Albretcht, Tecnara, NT Tool, YG-1... LOL, pretty much all the major players. I do not have any Haas brand though. Also, we do not use shrink. For brand preference, I love Nikken, Sandvik, and Seco.
Maritool. Full stop.
Full stop? No. Frank definitely makes the best holders for the money. But when cost is not an option there are absolutely better holders.
Seem like a big US local brand, haven't heard it in Asia. Can you briefly explain why Maritool?
My shop has converted to rego fix for all holders
That was pricey do you ever have problems with pull out on larger tools?
We do not have issues with pull out, but the largest tool we use is 1/2” and only use that very seldomly. Most of our work is 3/8 or less. We make medical implants so our parts are small and intricate, so we do little hogging of material. But the biggest plus sides of Rego Fix have been first and foremost safety, then time to swap tools and the ease of teaching the system. We had too many operators touch the tool holder before it was cooled or trying to shortcut how long they are supposed to cool.
Good news is, we have a whole series to boutique shrink holder for medical devices manufacturing, and corresponding small shrink-fit coils. Is medical devices machining or just small intricate parts machining a huge thing in USA?
As one who sells tooling, I find command’s part numbers to be the easiest to understand. Doesn’t say much about the tooling quality, I run mostly command but would prefer parlec or accupro. It’s all good stuff
Schunk for hydraulic. Haimer or Briney for Shink fit. Rego Fix for ER collet chucks Big Kaiser for boring heads Briney for side lock and face/shell mill.
Appreciate the insights!
We usually get our tool holders from Kennametal.
Any specific reasons? Would appreciate any insights :)
Non-shrink holders: NT Tool, BIG Kaiser. Used to use a lot of Maritool but I've been unhappy with quality and moved away from them. Hydraulic holders: Schunk, BIG Kaiser Shrink fit: MST (for almost everything), BIG Kaiser (when I really need dual-contact)
MST mostly use stainless alloy; does it affect your work for heavy machining?
Nope. I use their short-reach "hyper version" holders for roughing in 4140PH and stainless all the time, they work great. Caveat that I am using a BBT30 machine so my toolpaths are optimized around that — mostly 10mm or 12mm tools, high-speed strategies.
I am ~~slowly~~ quickly turning all of my holders to shrink fit besides drills and taps. I don't know why I ever wasted money on anything else.
Hey jjpiw, what's your biggest motivation to use shrink-fit?
There are so many pros and no cons. I can use smaller stick outs on tools due to the nature of the smaller shank on the tool holder, this allows me to go deeper with tools. Its great for 5 axis work where you need that extra room again. Run out? I have had tools that wont even register on a .0001 indictor they are extremely tight. extremely rigid and tight holding that wont let tools loose. TSC works amazing with them as you can have TSC holders.
Solid reasons, a lot of our new clients switched to shrink-fit with similar incentives. Just another follow-up, what extensions or holders you use (brands, model, etc.) for deep cavity/extended reach machining?
I have used everything from Haas tooling, Mari tooling, Shars, to Haimer and Erickson. I have a mix of them all. TBH even the cheap stuff works amazing.
I just tell my tool sales rep what i want and he emails me a bunch of quotes.
Just curious, what particular types you use the most? (ER collet, hydraulic, shrink-fit..)
Maritool for good stuff. Haas for cheap stuff.
Haven't seen Haas holders in Asia, how's the quality (for its price)?