Understanding The Different Types Of CNC Holders

Many machine shop tool supply companies are going to offer a short range of CHC tool holders, and your decision on which to buy is ultimately going to depend on your machinery. Many machinists may be aware of the basics, and CNC experts understand that modern technology has made it possible to achieve a .005 inch tight tolerance — so to better understand their use, let's take a look at a couple common CNC tool holders and how they could be beneficial additions to a mechanic's tool kit.

Shrink Fit Holder
A shrink fit CNC holder is commonly trusted among machinist, and it's generally used with mill power feeds. The tool gets its name from its ability to expand upon heat applied from its source machine and tighten when it's placed upon the end mill. These holders are going to be a bit pricey but for good reason — they have exceptional longevity and offer high grip force.

Tap Holders For CNC Machines
Tap holders come in a few forms that each differ in slight variations. One common holder is used for machines that offer rigid tapping (hence being referred to as rigid tapping holders), and these are popular in the industry for their high performance and speed; a tap holder used for CNC machinery that does not offer rigid tapping, however, is a tension holder. Tension holders are easy to change and offer an adjustable compression ratio.

Overall Benefits
Whether it be a lathe tool, milling chuck, or anything in between, at the end of the day, your tool holder is going to depend on what you're using and the axis' of your machine and finding the right tool holder and maintaining it properly is going to bring you the most reward. Of course, there is no proper tool set for mechanics — there are essentials, but tools are ultimately going to depend on the functionality you're looking for. If CNC tools are in your inventory, they're going to make for overall easier jobs, but they must be properly maintained and well-cared for. You can find such tools through trusted machine shop tool supply web-sellers, and you'll quickly notice your machine productivity skyrocket.