Had to pick between a Renishaw probe and a tool setter for my Haas last month

My boss said I could only get one for the next 6 months, so I went with the probe for setup speed. Ngl, it's been a game changer for zeroing parts, but I'm already wishing I had the setter for tool breakage checks. Anyone else have to make that call and regret it later?

3 comments

3 Comments

milaw1418d ago

Actually tool setters can do tool breakage checks but that's not really their main job. They're better for measuring tool lengths and diameters so you know your offsets are right from the start. A probe and a tool setter do different things, the probe is for finding part zeros and the setter is for knowing your tools are correct before you cut.

river_allen18d ago

So I guess the tool setter just works for tips then?

the_anthony18d ago

Ha, that got a real chuckle out of me. "Works for tips" - that's a good one. But nah, @milaw14 is pretty much spot on here. You don't tip a tool setter, you just make sure you don't crash your $50 endmill into it on the first pass. I've seen guys try to use a probe for everything and it just ends up being a mess when their tools are actually off by a few thou right out of the holder.