Can you make custom tool holders?
Yes we can. With our internal manufacturing capabilities in the suburbs of Chicago (near one of the largest industrial parks in North America) we have resources to make any type of custom tool holder or cutting tool. We are very proud of our newest CNC multi tasking machine. This machine allows even the most complex of parts to come out nearly complete. We have experience in making tool holders from the size of a key chain (ISO 10) all the way up to CAT60 tool holders with a gage length of 38 inches long. MariTool is a key supplier to several major machine tool builders. We provide them with Taper standards and pocket alignment gages used in the assembly and testing of their tool changers and tool hives. We routinely manufacture special prototype tool holders for experimental manufacturing concepts and ideas.
I don't know what retention knob my machine uses. Can you help?
Yes. Before contacting MariTool please be sure to check our Pull Stud Machine Guide, which may help you determine the proper pull stud for your application. Also, all of our pull stud listings have a print available for you to view all critical pull stud dimensions.
Is your pull stud coolant thru?
Your machine make, model and spindle taper.
What tool holder style does your machine use?
What quantity you would like to purchase?
I noticed the CAT40-ER32-1.85 short collet chuck, but do you have some collet chucks with a shorter gage length?
No we do not. We have noticed that putting the collet cavity any closer to the tool taper can lead to distortion of the taper. On the CAT40 and BT40 tool holders where the collet nut is flush with the face of the flange noticeable distortion of the tool holder taper is evident when the collet is torqued to just 55 ft-lbs. The outside taper became slightly larger at the end and taper roundness increased. Using such a holder can put excessive wear on the front portion of your spindle taper bore.
What are the differences between SK and ER Collet Systems?
ER collets have an included angle of 16 degrees and most collets have a range of 1mm. Grip is strong and in most applications sufficient.
SK collets have an included angle of 8 degrees and most collets have a range of .5mm. Grip is very strong and is a step above ER collets. More of the collet sits in the taper pocket so concentricity is equal or better than ER collets.
What can cause poor runout in a collet chuck tool holder?
Care must be taken for any precision tool to function properly. Tool holders are no different. Below are a few tips.
Make sure you are snapping the collet into the collet nut before screwing the assembly into the tool holder. The collet face should be flush or near flush (within 1/16") with the face of the collet nut.
Check the condition of the tool holder taper. We often see careless handing of the tool holder resulting in a nicked or dented taper. This will certainly ruin tool holder accuracy.
How is the condition of your spindle and spindle taper? Tool holder will give poor runout if it cannot seat in your spindle properly or if your spindle has worn bearings.
All mating surfaces of tool holder, collet, collet nut must be clean and free of chips or coolant sludge. Before assembly it is always advised to put a little oil on the collet nut internal thread and the 30 deg angle that pushes the collet into the tool holder. Do not put any oil on the collet or tool holder internal collet seat. We use turbine oil, but any light oil or motor oil will do.
Any burrs or nicks on your collet? Collets can develop burrs next to the slits. Sand them down with light sandpaper and make sure collets are clean and no debris inside the slits.
Is tool holder cracked near the collet seat? Over-tightening can result in a cracked tool holder. Collet torque Specs are in our FAQ collet section.
What oil do you recommend for storing tool holders or collets?