Quick change end mill options

There is always a cost benefit analysis to be done. Most of the large commercial machines have the interchangeable bits because it saves time, increases productivity and reduces costs. If you hve a 100K CNC router these things are important. For a hobby machine like the Shapeoko the cost benefit analysis does not seem to be there. If you are in a production environment maybe you should get a bigger machine. There are many who make money with their Shapeoko but the advantages and the costs do not seem to justifiable. That is to say that it cannot be done or will not be done by some enterprising person. But in the price range of the Shapeoko market it does not seem feasible at a low enough cost or without major design changes to $100.00 routers.

I have looked at the Musclechuck before but they do not have any chucks for the DeWalt 611. I went and looked to see if they had updated and they are all for the larger model Dewalts. A quick scan for the Makita was for the larger routers as well. I am a member of routerforums.com and they love the Musclechuck on that forum but they do not seem to have any for the small routers. The idea is a good one for replacing the wrenches with an allen/hex key but alas there does not seem to be the demand for the small routers.

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@gdon_2003 , the Musclechuck is available for the Makita RT0700 It is Type 9 https://www.musclechuck.com/portfolio-view/type-9/

However, I don’t know that you can use it for endmills other than the 1/4in since they do not mention that info the only way I see is to use a reducer. I have 7 different size collets for my Makita. With the Musclechuck, you have to use a hex key to install the router bit instead of a cone wrench. Personally, I’m not sure it actually same much time over the current way of installing bit in my router on my CNC but it is probably easier for a router table. I will save my money for something I find more useful.

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Mafell has an interesting quick change system (thanks @DanSW for linking to their other spindle where I found this one :smiley:)
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-fm-1000-ws-milling-motor

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I’m sure that if someone could create a real quick change system for our trim routers (e.g. : press button, insert endmill release button), enabling several EM sizes, I think he/she could have a very successful business.

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Yes, if you can make it at a price which folks could afford — consider how folks balk at spending $25 for a precision collet — how are you going to make a toolholder which is not markedly more expensive than that?

You need a changing mechanism, and some mechanism for connecting/disconnecting the tools — industry uses these a lot, and they’re well engineered, and a lot of research has gone into them — I’m just not seeing any aspects where one can save significantly.

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Never said it would be cheaper than the regular collets. Not everyone buys an HDZ either, it does not mean that it is for everyone but it could enable affordable ATC. The systems already exist but are probably patented so one would have to engineer around those and still make something that works.

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