Thanks for the info gentlemen. We are probably going with a mix of Techniks shrink and extra short ER collet holders. I will stick to Lyndex milling chucks for the big tools. Thanks again.

We recently brought a Mazak PFH4800 Horizontal on line. It has a 15,000 spindle. We also have a 12,000 510c vertical. We already have 6 Kennametal endmill holders(set screw style) that came with a "milling kit". I have heard 8,000 max for these type toolholders and I have heard 12,000 max. I have used the 3/8" holder with a 1/4" endmill w/ 3/8" weldon shank with great results at about 9,000 to 11,000. We have also had a demo with shrink fit tooling. Another option is a type of holder that uses a collet nut with ext threads and ER collets. This keeps the tool very close to the spindle. These are for highspeed in 6061, small pockets and countours. Any suggestions? Bonus coolant question: We need to produce 1/4-28 STI 3b tapped holes. Synthetic or water soluble oil?

"Am very proud of being able to make stuff to support our troops!! " Hells Yeah!!! We make components for America's "big can of whoop xxxx" too.

Thanks FPI, I change those Paramaters first thing when I set up a new Mazak. I'm going to have to stick to control to take advantage of the Mazatrol side and the Renishaw on our vertical. Steve put the fear of god in me about not using wear. He's scary, must be the coffee. If I have any problems I'll drop you a line. Thanks again. Are you doing turbine blades Robert?

What if I'm using Mazaks. I have Mazatrol programs that have to look to the tool data page for the "actual dia" for its offset. The Mazatrol M64 tool data page also has a field for length and Dia compensation in addition to the tool length and Act. Dia field. I'm assuming this is like the wear field on the Fanuc. I have a good bit of "wear programing" experience on a Haas with SmufCAM and I liked it alot. Any body have any hints for a shop that is still sucking on the Mazatrol teat.