Home Made TTS type tooling

[KC2IXE]

As you folks know, I just bought a STACK of ER32 holders with 3/4" shafts to make a TTS type system (I've also bought a TTS collet, a bunch of the kits to put stop rings on "other" things, and the TTS short R8 collet to get the spindle interface

Now, here's the question - I find I can leave my shanks to 2.5" (approx) on my existing R8 collet, and about the same on the TTS collet - BUT the default length of the TTS shank is 1.375, and the gripping surface of the collet is 1.75 (aprox) long

When I cut down my holders (they have like a 5" shank) what length SHOULD I cut them to?

I realize there is a tradeoff - the longer I leave them (at least up to the length of the bearing surface of the collet), the more rigid (at least in theory) my setups will be, but at the same time, it makes it harder to change tools

You think I should cut them down so the shanks (above the ring) are about the same length as the default TTS length, or should I make them longer/keep them longer?

 

[gadget_lover]

Anything beyond the gripping surface is wasted, right?

The 1 and 3/8 length of the TTS shank may be scientifically determined or it may be just a number that was handy.

The shorter one is easier to work with when space is tight. The longer one MIGHT have more hold, though I'm not sure an R-8 collet has full clamping strength at the end of the gripping area. Since it's a single angle collet, the clamping force will be uneven. At least I THINK it's single angle.

Daniel