K2CNC 1/2" to 1/8" adapter

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

Has any one used the K2 cnc 1/2" to 1/8" adapter. Its machined brass and looks pretty good.
http://www.k2cnc.com/shop/proddetail.asp?prod=TOOL%2D8thCollet%2DHalf&cat=27

[james mcgrew]

micheal, over the years the common step down is one increment at a time, 1/2 to 1/4,,,, 1/4 to 1/8th etc. i am no fan of inserts in a collet as i have had them slip and come out, is an 1/8th collet not available?

aklthough it looks well machined

[Bruce Page]

Michael, I have used similar tool holders for years in the machine shop but they are hardened steel and much more precise. The only issue I see with the K2CNC holder is the different ratio of thermal expansion between the brass and the steel cutter. I could easily see the cutter coming loose after a number of heat cycles. If your cutter never gets hot then I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

For now I am using a Festoom MFK 700 router. Only hase 8mm and 1/4 collets. I plan on mounting a Dewalt 618 which has 1/4 and 1/2". I could find no collets for those routers. I have 3 other routers but don plan on using those. Its not that important now as I have some Freud 1/16 bits with 1/4" shanks. I just wanted something to use my 1/8" end mill bits.

Im thinking of build ing a 12" x 24" router based on my current design and will probably use somethigng like a rotozip or or Fordome as they both have 1/4" and 1/8" as well as a few other sizes.

I was just currious about the adapters. The last project I did on the CNC I used a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter without any issues. But did not like the idea becaus I know it added some additional runout. The Festool router is a dream on the CNC. However as money as I spent on the router Im reluctant to gut the electronics so I can connect my Super PID speed controller. Thats why I have the Dewalt.

[Gary Campbell]

Michael...
If I had a need for small bits on a smaller machine, I would get one of the 1.5KW (+/-) chineese spindles. Spindle & VFD are close to the price (or less) of any router I own. ER type collets will allow any bit size, metric or imperial. They are available in air & liquid cooled. I am not a big proponent of chineese products, but there are very few, if any other options in this size/price range. The chineese product, albeit not super high quality, is is far and away better than any of the handheld routers out there. Especially the Dewalts and RotoZips.

[Mike Heidrick]

I own that K2 insert and use it with all my 1/8" bits. Works perfect.

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

Thanks Mike
I am using a little MCS adapter and it would be nice to use an adapter that does not have to be removed to change or adjust a bit. What alot of people un this site dont understand is that there is only a handfull of routers that hace 3rd party collets. Problem is most of them are Porter cable routers and the last three PC routers I got rid of cause they were nothing more than Junk. Bad Bearings, Bad Collets, Motors that run hot. All typical of chineese products.

[ed vitanovec]

I have one and use it all the time, it works well and has held up. The K2CNC parts that I have bought from them have been hi quality, I would recommend them.

Regards!
Ed

[tarik yousef]

I bought one years ago, it had visible runout. I was using a tiny V cutter on it and you could see the tip of it cuttting off center. It worked for what i needed, but I would not reccomend it for heavy cuts.