Lathe Tools offer maximum speed of 12,000 rpm.

SMW Autoblok is pleased to introduce spindle speed increasing Live Tools for Haas lathes. These new low-profile Live Tools feature a 1:3 speed increasing ratio and a maximum speed of 12,000RPM.

Designed to increase the performance of Haas lathes with 4,000RPM driven turrets, SMW Autoblok's new spindle speed increasing Live Tools can drastically reduce cycle times and duty cycles, particularly in finishing application in mild steels, aluminum, plastics, and reinforced resins. With an ultra-low profile of 88.5mm (3.48"), these new Live Tools are no taller than a standard Live Tool, preserving Z-axis clearance for work-holding and parts. Additionally, with their minimal width of 80mm (3.15"), they do not interfere with adjacent tools in the turret.

SMW Autoblok's new spindle speed increasing Live Tools utilize patented square drive Gleason matched ground helical gears for improved torque transmission and high quality twin interlocking labyrinth seals to prevent contamination from coolant and chips. The new compact ER clamping design makes for easy tool changes, higher clamping forces, extended drill lengths, and improved rigidity.

SMW Autoblok also offers standard Live Tools for Haas lathes in straight, right angle, and offset styles equipped with either an ER Collet or Face Mill output spindle. Coolant-thru the tool up to 1,000PSI is available on most styles, and special application Live Tools are available upon request. SMW Autoblok stocks Live Tools for other popular CNC Turning Centers including Mazak, Mori Seiki, Okuma, and Doosan and more.

For more information on Live Tools or other SMW Autoblok products, please contact SMW Autoblok Corporation at 847-215-0591 or visit www.live-tooling.com.

ABOUT SMW AUTOBLOK CORPORATION - Autoblok Corporation was established in 1981 as a subsidiary of Autoblok of Italy, the largest power chuck manufacturer in Europe. Since 1942, Autoblok has been at the forefront of engineering and manufacturing state-of-the-art workholding, clamping and tooling solutions. In 1993, Autoblok acquired SMW of Germany. The combination of these two premier manufacturing entities resulted in the most extensive product line of high quality workholding devices in the world. Now available exclusively through its subsidiaries, reps and distributors, SMW AUTOBLOK customers are ensured a consistent, single source of superior product performance, support and service.



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How to Choose a Lathe Machine

Lathe machines are machines built to serve a specific purpose and even though there's a lot of variety to choose from, you really must choose the one that suits your needs the best. The average hobbyist will likely be best off with a mini lathe, which has a limited scope of operations but can be very useful for small and personal projects. These are mainly used by beginners who are testing the waters for turning out shapes and designs.

Whilst these mini lathes are not at all suited for professional lathe projects, those who want to make a slower transition to bigger lathe machines do have options to upgrade their mini lathe machines. These upgrades add functionality like variable speeds, arms etc. This also makes sense for those who want more out of their machine without spending a lot of money for a new and bigger machine.

However, there is a limit to how much a basic lathe machine can be upgraded, so it is advisable that professionals who have discovered the power of a lathe machine upgrade to as big a lathe as they possibly can. This is meant for those craftsmen who can see a long future of them using the lathe machine. For those who are unsure of how long they will use one or those who are on a tight budget, there are mid segment lathe machines that usually have a size between 12x34 and 16x36. They cost in between $400-600 and offer enough features and sturdiness for the professional craftsman without burning a hole through his pocket.

There are a few things to consider before jumping in and buying the cheapest or the biggest machine out there for your budget. You need consider the spindle you are getting. The spindle is the core to the operations of lathe machines and they come in standard and non-standard sizes. The is usually a good idea to go for standard sizes like the 1"x8tpi spindles. The bed capacity is also important, as this will determine the size of material with which you can work. Variable speed is another aspect because most professionals prefer to work at different speeds while doing different things to the material. Like for sanding you would prefer a higher speed but for carving, you might want a medium to low speed depending on the detail you want to work in.

Be careful of cheap lathe machines because their parts are often non-standard and are hence very easy to replace. As with other power tools and hardware, buying from a reputed company is always advisable. If you are buying used machines, do not purchase without getting to check it out first. For used lathe machines, try to purchase locally from a shop you know. If you are buying over the Internet even, try to buy from somewhere nearby and pick it up yourself after checking it out properly. Again, keep in mind the purpose of your machine while making a purchase.

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General Tools & Instruments

General Tools & Instruments, began as the brainchild of Abe and Lillian Rosenberg in New York City, 1922. Originally dubbed General Hardware Manufacturing Co., the company specialized in the wholesale of “hard goods,” offering a full-range of domestic and professional items from clothesline pulleys and screen-door hardware, to specialty hand tools.

However it wasn’t long before Abe, a former WWI soldier and a vibrant, creative thinker, began to conceptualize his own product ideas. With Lillian running the store, Abe would take the Fall River Line from Greenwich Village to New England in search of machine shops to manufacture his tools. By 1930 he had outsourced a small line of specialty items, including circle cutters, metal punches and pocket screwdrivers. By 1937, Abe and Lillian were selling their own products exclusively at General Hardware.

Abe continued to develop a line of useful products for both consumer and commercial purposes. His thirst for new ideas kept General at the forefront of the industry and, accordingly, the company became one of the first to build die-cast tools. Through Lillian’s keen business management, the company was awarded contracts supplying machinist tools to the United States Military and the British Purchasing Commission during WWII. In 1946, General became a charter member of the Sears 100 Club of Craftsman tool suppliers.

Upon Abe’s death in 1977, his daughter Dorothy became Chairman of the Board. Along with her husband, Seymour Weinstein, Dorothy expanded General’s product line to include precision measuring tools and other specialty hand tools. In 1990, the company’s name was officially changed to General Tools to better reflect its product line.

Today, General Tools is run by Dorothy’s son Gerald Weinstein. Under Gerry’s leadership, General has expanded its product line to include electronic testing and measurement equipment, fueled by the much-heralded acquisition of Mannix Instruments in November of 2006. The company, now General Tools and Instruments, continues to forge a path into the digital marketplace all the while holding true to the entrepreneurial spirit upon which it began.

Comment:

A must for every machine shop

www.generaltools.com