I am puzzled.... ha!

Now, with the help of the friendly pro's here I am milling my heart out.
Never thought it's so much fun to make stuff.

It's time to leave the comfort zone and actually make something which requires more than one tool to finish.
Right now I am V-Carving, flat milling, ball end mill milling. Now I generated a new tool path and that requires a couple of tool changes to make things look real good.

I am having a small TAIG mill where the only automatic tool changer is that monkey sitting hypnotized in front of it.

How do I go about that? I know... it's a rather basic question, but how do I change the tool in between the jobs so that Z zero remains correct?
As it is in real life... my reference Z corner is one of the first victims of my activities. So I can't go back there and try and set it up again.
Are you using a reference block somewhere else on the table? A little jig? HELP!

Any hints for the mechanically challenged?

Cheers
Lemo

This is what I know.

1) Buy a tool height touch off probe. Here is one but there are many.

http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=10

Issue is you need the room on the table to use the probe.  A lot of times I am space constrained.

2) Buy a tool holder system like this Tormach.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2441&category=209730719

You will need a height check and indicator to find the offsets.

3) Go big and buy an automatic tool changer.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2937

Fits an mini mill don't know if it fits your system.  I think you still need to buy the Tormach holders so throw in another $500 or so.

Otherwise feed the monkey.

Dan

This is what I have on my mill, its the "EASY-CHANGE" system and its flawless in its use.

http://www.coventrytoolholders.co.uk/prods-easychange.htm

Graham.

I broke down and bought this one:
http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/index_files/Page2045.htm
I am not using more than two tools right now and this kit has a third holder as well.
When I received it I'll let you know how life is with the quick changer.
Lemo

Take a look at the video of the auto tool changer using this quick changer on YouTube

Life with the new changer sucks 8(. The part does not fit. It seems that I would need a different spindle. It's just that TAIG does not have a different one in the catalog. This experience fit's right into the line of deliveries I recently procured. Nothing fit's, no description fit's the part ordered, and support is slow or not available. Emails for requests are not answered and there is an attitude if you complain regarding miss matches. No wonder that Artsoft has success. Now all I need is Artsoft delivering parts the same way.....
Rainer

PS:Where is the link to this automatic tool changer?

hmm i do the monkey thing, but i use a piece of blank pcb with a wire soldered to it and run to the probe input. grolt on cnczone has a nice lil VB script and screen he posted,  http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36099 is the thread
dan

I finally found out that the Taig Lathe Spindle fit's perfectly to the Tool Changer and is otherwise identical to the ER16 spindle. So, I got that (cheap!!!) and am in tool changing heaven.
Works just great.
Lemo