ATC Pricing

[JR959]

Is there such a thing as an inexpensive atc? I'm very new and don't own a machine yet but I ran across an American made brand new atc spindle for around 4k. And a couple brand new columbo 5hp spindles for 1400. What's the catch?? Could that be right? If so wonder if they would work on the shopbot??

[Brady Watson]

The catch is that the one you saw for $4k is probably based on a Porter Cable router that uses brushes and non-production bearings. The Colombo is probably just the motor - no VFD, Cable etc.

Unless you are doing 2 shifts of production and require multiple tool setups, you don't need a toolchanger...or to put it another way, if you aren't making enough money in production to afford a toolchanger, then you don't need it. Sure, everyone wants to have a sexy toolchanger...but few need it.

-B