cat 50 and nb50 question

[winger]

We have a manual horizontal mill that uses nb50 taper tooling. It doesn't get a lot of use and has only a couple tool holders. They scrapped out a mill in the cnc shop part, so there are quite a few Cat 50 tools. the 2 mills they kept are cat 40. Is there anything really wrong with using them?
I know the keyways are offset and I just milled off the keys to fit, and had to make a longer drawbar.
Does that short diameter at the top actually do anything other than help center the tool for engaging the manual drawbar?
This will never be pushed close to a 50 taper capability.

Dave

 

[AlfaGTA]

Don’t think it is a problem.
CNC’s can run pretty hard and they don’t need that short cylindrical section.
No reason your manual would suffer as long as your drawbar is long enough.
Cheers Ross

 

[winger]

Its just a little slower changing the drawbar. Not real bad on a horizontal though. I usually keep a face mill on it anyway for squaring up plates. Most my work is on a Bridgeport.
Thanks,
Dave