As noted, for an ER-11 spindle for the Nomad or Carbide 3D VFD Spindle) you will need a 12mm (usually, there are some where a 12.7mm or 13mm is a better fit — please measure) low profile and a 17mm stubby:
Nomad spindle:
12mm (early machines accepted 13 mm or 1/2"), possibly needs to be low profile.
Don’t know why it never occurred to me to look for a complete set of thin wrenches. Doh! I can think of a pile of times where these would have been useful to have in the arsenal. Thank you for the links.
Ordered a set each of Duratech Metric and SAE on Amazon. 29 bucks each set not bad. Hopefully they’re not awful!
I bought a complete set of the Asahi wrenches because I found the one I’d purchased so nice — had to pay shipping from Japan, but they are very nice for the price — here’re most of the wrenches I’ve bought for use on my machines:
Wrapping this up, These came today. Not fancy but a seem like a pretty decent set of tools for a fair price. Maybe worth adding to the recommends @WillAdams ?
The subject of tools came up on team chat, and I was wondering what tools folks were using, since it’s been a while.
Also, to expand the subject beyond wrenches, does everyone just use the hex key sets included with the machine? Or has anyone found any which are especially well-suited — T-handle sets seem a likely option. Lastly, the quantity of hardware on the Hybrid T-tracks argues for a ratcheting feature — my favorite tool on that front is a Silca T-ratchet (which I also use on the family bikes). I have the (1st gen) torque bar for that — anyone else have any favorite torque wrenches suited to the machines?
I still use the supplied hex wrenches but should probably get something better. I do like the ball ends on them.
I did strip out the head on one of the screws that is on the ZPlus back plate so I need to replace and be more careful. Crap, I just ordered a new set of collets to replace the one I messed up last night. I should have looked for a replacement set of screws on the website as well.
The supplied hex wrenches are quite good quality (at least my sets have have been).
I don’t think we have replacement screws in the shop — any decent hardware store should have suitable metric hardware — we spec stainless, but black oxide finish should be okay (so long as the machine isn’t in a garage w/ muriatic acid or some similar corrosive agent).
Have an older Shapeoko 3xxl with the MDF bed ( no T-track) with another piece of 3/4" MDF
on top of the original bed that I use for a waste board.
Typical tools used include:
A cordless drill, a few drill bits and wood screws. I like this because I can put a screw in a place
where I know the cutter won’t hit it and keeping the part locked down to the bed.
For the collet nut on either a compact router or a spindle (I have both) standard open end / box end wrenches have worked fine.
Wrenches, made a 13 from a 14 with a little persuasion from a 10lb sledgehammer. Love the long reach Allen wrenches. Enjoy my “T” handle Allen’s, can’t torque with them though.