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@@Preso58 Yuriy only added the Z touch probe in the most recent update to TouchDRO. I can't recommend the TTS holders enough. I absolutely love them. Even without the repeatability aspect, just being able to change tools so quickly is so worth it. Add in the Z-axis repeatability, couple it with the tool library in TouchDRO, and it's just plain awesome. I didn't realize how much I've spoiled myself, until I had to use a mill without any sort of quick-change tooling. My mini mill is also R8... Tormach sells a special flat-nosed 3/4" R8 collet, but I just took the 3/4" R8 collet I already had, and held it to the belt sander. As long as the nose of the collet is recessed inside the spindle nose, flatness doesn't matter. I also made a spindle nose adapter for my Van Norman No.10, so I could use the TTS tooling on that mill, as well. I use cheap Amazon Fire tablets for my DRO displays. The stock Fire keyboard is pretty... Lacking. I use SwiftKey, instead. I wish there was a way to force a "calculator" keyboard, but my brief searching hasn't yielded anything. I'll keep searching.

@@fna-wrightengineering Thanks for that info. I just checked and genuine TTS holders are about US$30 but I saw Chinese knockoffs for AU$17.21(for an ER20 version). That's less than half the genuine price for me even if I have to buy the ER20 collet. I will have to play around with the keyboard options on my tablet to see if I can find a better version that is compatible with TouchDRO.

@@Preso58 I picked up a few of those import ER20 TTS holders, and they all had pretty bad runout. Combine that with import ER20 collets, and the runout got bad enough to make them basically useless for small end mills and drills. Import tooling has definitely gotten better in the last few years, but it's still a gamble... The ones I got were garbage, but you may get good ones. As always, your mileage may vary. I did find a use for mine... I use them as tap holders. I put them in the spindle without tightening the drawbar, and the R8 collet basically acts as a tap guide. I made a set of nesting wrenches which both tighten the ER20 collet nut, and act as a tap wrench. Made a video about it 😁

It's a Sieg X2D mini mill. It's got a solid column, and a wider table than the regular X2 mill. Got it from Little Machine Shop.

Thanks! Yeah, it's a fantastic system, and only gets better as Yuriy refines and adds more features.

Thanks! I thought about using the shaper to do it... I always enjoy using machines to make things for themselves. It's been a while, so I don't quite remember my reasoning for doing it on the mill. I suppose that's one of several things I'd do differently, if I were to make another. Though this toolpost has been everything I wanted, so far.

You vision to create this is whats inspiring. The first i’ve seen, subbed👍

@@mikebryan544 I very much appreciate it. Thanks!

Thanks for the thumbs!

You're welcome! I'm glad I could be helpful. I plan on making a video about my collection soon! I recently finished reorganizing my entire shop, and now that the dust has settled, I'll have time to get to that.

Thanks! Appreciate you checking out my work.

Power tap with a mini mill? It would take a lot more than a bigger pair for that to happen... A bigger motor, for one. It's a good machine, and makes good parts, but it's not powerful enough to get more than a thread or two deep with anything larger than, say, an M4 tap. That being said, I've got a Procunier tapping head, and have tapped dozens of M3 holes under power.

Thanks a lot! The wrenches will definitely be making appearances in future videos.

Honestly? I'm not sure. I got it off of AliExpress... You can find the exact same probe, sold by 100 different names, by 100 different sellers, all with a different price. I searched "CNC touch probe", and got the cheapest one at the time. They're even cheaper, now.

okay thank you very much

Thanks, Mark! The one I bought came with instructions on how to set the X and Y offset, which I found to work relatively well, and allowed me to keep the probe diameter set at 2mm. I've found it to be pretty accurate... Within a few tenths, maybe half a thou tops. Plenty good for the work I do. Looking forward to seeing your video on it!

I have one that I have set to a little less than Ø2mm. I use the USB signal wire for auto-probing in CNC.

I thought about that. I figure I'll use them as-is for a while, and if it becomes an issue, I'll make some kind of retention mechanism.

Thank you very much! TouchDRO really is awesome. I'm excited for all the new features Yuriy is incorporating. I suggested a QR-code based addition to the tool library, and he seemed pretty enthusiastic about the idea. I still feel a bit goofy talking to the camera, but it's getting easier. Kind words like yours definitely help the ol' confidence. Much appreciated!

I'm so glad you enjoyed! I appreciate the encouragement 😊

Sometimes it's hard. Especially when I'm making it up as I go along. Thanks, Michel! I'm looking forward to using it on an actual project.

Cheap import. All my other TTS holders are genuine Tormach... Don't have any runout issues with those. Got what I paid for, this time.

@@fna-wrightengineering thank you for the clarification

@@britenrhodehouse8692 you're welcome!

Thanks! I used pieces of index card. One piece wrapped around the shank of the bolt, and a disc under the washer. Works great! Though I think it's time to replace the paper. I recently re-trammed the toolpost, and it's no longer electrically isolated. I think the piece under the washer likely tore, but I might as well replace it all. Probably make a quick video showing the process.

Much appreciated! If you're on Instagram, message "jtslocomb". He's another avid collector, and he's working on a production run of springs for Slocomb mics.

I thought about that... But with as often as I'm tightening/loosening this, I feel like a stud was the better option. I'm also in aerospace, and have seen many a helicoil get all borked up from frequent use.

The issue I have with those kind of spindle locks, is that they only lock in one position. You have to rotate the spindle until the pin drops in. This one locks no matter where the spindle is, which makes tool changes way faster.

Not a bad idea! It doesn't have to tighten much to lock the spindle solid, so a short lever could work. I've also thought about some kind of cable arrangement, like a bicycle brake cable pulling on a cam. The other end would be connected to a foot pedal, to keep both hands free. The ultimate goal is some kind of power drawbar, so I wouldn't even have to lock the spindle to change tools.

Agreed! That's definitely one of the things that drew me to them.

Sorry I took so long for this... Overall length: 0.753" OD: 0.224" ID: 0.204", 0.698" deep

@@fna-wrightengineering Thank you kindly! I'll pay the favor you did for me forward when the opportunity exists. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing.

@@briankissel7661 you're quite welcome! Hope you can get your pen working again.

@@fna-wrightengineering FYI these older German made 600 Trios with knurling sell for $600 for NOS.

@@briankissel7661 Hence my repair, rather than replacement lol

Yeah, that is one drawback. However, the one-way bearing is essential. There is a small amount of play in any gear system, and in this case, turning the handle backwards would introduce error in the readout due to this backlash. The bearing eliminates the possibility of causing that error, basically sacrificing ease of use for accuracy. Ideally, the encoder would be inside the body of the rotary table, driven directly by the table itself. However, there isn't room inside the casting to allow this, hence my solution.

@@fna-wrightengineering I see now! You are rigth hmm

Thanks!

Thanks! It's a really fun machine to operate. And no, I don't know anyone who might have one. I stalked Craigslist and FB Marketplace for months, and even then it was a friend who found mine for me... Several hours away. Best of luck finding one!

Glad to have you!

Appreciate the sub! I'd been keeping an eye out for a UPA2 for a while, and this one popped up for a reasonable price. I haven't really had a use for it yet, but I'm sure that when I do, I'll be glad I have it.

Thanks! It's definitely been a great addition to the mill, especially with the TTS quick-change tooling. Though I readily admit I cribbed the idea from Stefan Gotteswinter, and adapted it to my own machine. However, I will say that some kind of interlock is in the works. The mill doesn't like being started with the spindle locked...

Thanks, Matty! This project came out better than I had hoped. Haven't had occasion to use it yet, but I'm sure I will eventually. I've been super pleased with TouchDRO. I think it really can't be beat for the price and functionality. I've got one on all my machines, except the optical comparator (which may get one, as well. Haven't decided).

Much appreciated! I use it often, it's been a great addition to my mill tooling.

Thanks!