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Rank: Administration
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Joined: 6/28/2008
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Location: Follansbee, WV
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I got a heads up from CNCFun&Games on Cnczone about the Craftsman QuickRout Connectors and he wondered what I could do with them. They are quick release tool holders used for the Craftsman CompuCarve and routers. They come in 1/4 and 1/2 inch collet sizes since that's what most router bits have for shanks. I ordered a set of each which came with 4 collets and the connector. The 1/4 connector was easy to adapt to the mill, I just made an arbor with .750 dia. on one end and .4724 (12mm) on the other. The 1/2 inch connectors will need a threaded arbor that I have yet to make. 3/8 shank tooling is more common for milling so I made a couple of adapters to use with the 1/2 collets (they are easier to find). I also bored out one of the 1/4 inch collets to .375, they are hardened so it needed a carbide boring bar. Can be expensive to go that route, one boring bar can cost as much as a whole QR kit. I made a simple sleeve from aluminum, split down the center and it seems to work just fine. The 1/2 inch collets use a compression fitting to grip the 1/2 inch shanks. I made another from steel that has a collar with 2 setscrews to get a better grip on the endmill but the sleeve seems it will do the job.
These connectors are a MUCH cheaper solution for light duty work and quick tool changes than the High Tech Systems Rapid Changers. IMService uses the HTSRC for a simple Tool Changer.
These QuickRouts won't be able to use a similar sliding maneuver to change a tool because they require a small rotation as the collar is lifted to release a tool. I think I may still be able to use them with an Automatic Tool Changer though.
You can see the videos of the progress so far.
Craftsman QuickRout Review for Possible ATC
Craftsman QuickRout Review 2
Craftsman QuickRout Review 3
Hoss
Hoss attached the following image(s):
Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here.-Roy Batty
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Rank: Administration
Groups: Administration
Joined: 6/28/2008
Posts: 201
Points: 512
Location: Follansbee, WV
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The milling tests went OK. It was able to handle .050 Depth of Cuts @ 10 IPM in aluminum.
That was with both the 1/4 and 3/8 endmills running at about 4000 rpm.
The simple sleeve adapter for the 1/2 collets held the 3/8 endmills tight.
A .075 DOC pulled the tool out of the holder, ouch.
This is definitely for light duty work but it is a very affordable quick changing system.
Very suitable for X2 or Taig sized mills cutting softer materials.
Runout for one of the 3/8 endmills was .003, not great but acceptable.
The ATC tool release tests weren't as promising. Straight drop tests initially weren't consistent.
The tool would occasionally hang up or the connector wouldn't stay in the release position after dropping the tool.
Going very slow seemed to improve it and was repeatable.
Trying a sliding release like the IMService didn't work at all. The QuickRout connectors need a small
twist when lifting and sliding didn't allow that. The straight drop tests did allow the spindle to rotate but there wouldn't
be anything to capture the released tool.
I think a tool rack to capture the tools and using a lever with fingers mounted on the side of the head with an air cylinder to lift the collar may work.
We'll see.
Hoss
Craftsman QuickRout Aluminum Milling Tests
Craftsman QuickRout ATC Tool Release Tests
Hoss attached the following image(s):
Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here.-Roy Batty
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Rank: Administration
Groups: Administration
Joined: 6/28/2008
Posts: 201
Points: 512
Location: Follansbee, WV
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If you are looking to pick some of these up, search for QuickRout on Ebay.
I found some great deals on there.
Hoss
Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here.-Roy Batty
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