Here’s a friendly reminder that high performance tooling can only perform highly if ALL related variables are up to par.

• Tools need to be inserted fully into collets or hydros just shy of the coating by about 1/16 inch. Extra length outside of the collet puts enormous pressure on the tool, can cause wild vibrations, and the likelihood of breakage goes way up.
• If using collets, you MUST use an actual torque wrench. Under or overtightening can induce runout, drastically shortening tool life or causing breakage. Avoid cheap, basic wrenches. 
• Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for collet torque. Sample torque recommendations: ER32 - 100 ft./lbs., ER40 - 130 ft./lbs., SYOZ25 - 90 ft./lbs.
• If you break a tool in a collet, the collet MUST be discarded and replaced. Collets are the softest part of the equation and can deform with abuse. 
• Strategies like onion skins, full sheet skins, and tile gaskets NEED to be utilized when vacuum performance is not good enough. Impact from parts moving can quickly break tooling.
• Machine weight and rigidity matter. Only run what your machine can handle. For a feed and speed calculator, visit frostcnctooling.com/pages/tool-feed-and-speed-calculator.

Source: Nic Frost is the founder of Frost CNC Tooling. For more information visit frostcnctooling.com.