While waiting for parts to finish building the framework for my EDM machine, I got to thinking. I hate it when I build a machine and can't use it because I need to make tooling for it. So, I decided I better start making tool holders for this machine. I looked on the internet and found some I liked and want to make. This one was available to by for the tidy some of $300. WOW!!
I made it for free from scraps in my shop. I made several shafts from .500" diameter drill rod, drilled them for a .125" dowel pin. I can mount different ends on these shafts for different electrodes. This one will have two 8-32 thumb screws put in the empty holes. This holder will hold round, hex, or square electrodes making it pretty universal. You can see in the last photo, the reason for the alignment pin. Every tool holder shank will have the same pin through it. This allows an electrode to be removed for repair or replacement and re-installed back in the exact previous location. This is similar to the commercial system called " system 3R. They are terribly expensive to buy, so I will be making them.
I made it for free from scraps in my shop. I made several shafts from .500" diameter drill rod, drilled them for a .125" dowel pin. I can mount different ends on these shafts for different electrodes. This one will have two 8-32 thumb screws put in the empty holes. This holder will hold round, hex, or square electrodes making it pretty universal. You can see in the last photo, the reason for the alignment pin. Every tool holder shank will have the same pin through it. This allows an electrode to be removed for repair or replacement and re-installed back in the exact previous location. This is similar to the commercial system called " system 3R. They are terribly expensive to buy, so I will be making them.