RJ Martin Design
Plastic
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2011
- Location
- Bridgewater, MA
Hi everyone: This is my first post on this forum, but I have been lurking here for a while. I am looking at purchasing a new TL-1 for my shop. I am a custom knife maker, and haven't run a lathe since I was in High School, and I did not run it very well as I remember. My thing is CNC milling....
My son is attending a vocational High School here in Mass, studying CAD/CAM, and he is training on the TL-1. He's got some skills, and some interest, which I'd like to help him develop further. He's headed to the Skills USA regional competition in a couple of weeks, which I think is great.
So I'm looking at this machine primarily for him to learn on, but I also see the possibility of making some small parts from 3/8" (and smaller) stock that could go into my knives.
So I could use some guidance from the experts here. He wants a chuck and a tailstock, I'll need collets. I understand there are collet closers that fit the TL-1, and I'm assuming we could change back and forth.(?) I don't know much about chucks, either.
I'm also thinking the 3500 RPM spindle would be useful so I can hit higher SFM's for small diameter parts.
Have been reading posts here on Dorian vs. Aloris toolholders with interest. Haven't seen much on cross-slide gang tooling for the TL-1 but I'd appreciate input on how difficult that is to add later, after he's confident about not crashing single tools.
Thinking about coolant as well-Should I get the HAAS system or make my own?
Anyway, sorry for all the noob questions, but I could sure use your expertise here.
TIA,
RJ Martin
My son is attending a vocational High School here in Mass, studying CAD/CAM, and he is training on the TL-1. He's got some skills, and some interest, which I'd like to help him develop further. He's headed to the Skills USA regional competition in a couple of weeks, which I think is great.
So I'm looking at this machine primarily for him to learn on, but I also see the possibility of making some small parts from 3/8" (and smaller) stock that could go into my knives.
So I could use some guidance from the experts here. He wants a chuck and a tailstock, I'll need collets. I understand there are collet closers that fit the TL-1, and I'm assuming we could change back and forth.(?) I don't know much about chucks, either.
I'm also thinking the 3500 RPM spindle would be useful so I can hit higher SFM's for small diameter parts.
Have been reading posts here on Dorian vs. Aloris toolholders with interest. Haven't seen much on cross-slide gang tooling for the TL-1 but I'd appreciate input on how difficult that is to add later, after he's confident about not crashing single tools.
Thinking about coolant as well-Should I get the HAAS system or make my own?
Anyway, sorry for all the noob questions, but I could sure use your expertise here.
TIA,
RJ Martin