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Basics, Accessories, Attachments
BASICS
Work Space
Often you will be taking your HSRT to the job. For example if you needed a hole for a cupboard door handle, or to cut a rusted bolt off a garden gate, your workspace would be the door or gate. However if you are making some craft work, carving or etching glass etc. it is nice if you have a small space where you can leave your tools setup. If you have to work on the kitchen table, here is a great Tip:. Find a large corrugated cardboard box and cut it to 2 in. high (like a big tray). This will hold all your stuff, and some of the dust, to make it easy to put away, and more importantly, to start again. Arrange good light and, if you are making any dust, a fan to blow across your work.
How to connect the accessory to the HSRT
Because your HSRT rotates at 30,000 rpm, you want the accessory (cutting bit) to be firmly connected to the tool, and be confident that it is not going to fly off. The best, and most common, way to do this is with a "collet" and a "collet nut". A collet is like a little metal collar that goes around the shaft of the cutting bit. The collet and cutting bit are placed inside the hollow end of the HSRT shaft and then the collet nut is tightened to secure the bit.
Collet Sizes
There are at least 4 sizes of collets with, 1/8 in. the most common, and 3/32 in. used for engraving bits, and diamond bits. The 1/8 in. refers to the approximate size of the hole thru the collet, and is the size of the shaft on the cutting bit. This hole will flex a little to accommodate very slightly larger or smaller shaft sizes, and when the collet nut is tightened, the collet will flex in to grip the shaft securely.
Spindle Lock
When you try to tighten the collet nut, everything turns and the nut will not tighten. Therefore you must press and hold the "Spindle Lock" button while you tighten the collet nut. Note: Spindle is another name for shaft or drive shaft and in our case it locks the whole motor. Never, never press the "Lock" button when the motor is running. (It makes a loud noise, scares the living daylights out of you, and damages the stuff inside the unit)
Let's do it!
1. Pull the plug. It is a very good habit to be certain the electrical power is off and cannot accidentally start while you are working on your HSRT. Most "ON" switches are little sliders, that are very easy to bump on!
2. Collect all the parts shown in the photo above. The collet and nut may be on your HSRT, if so take them off for now. If your HSRT is not exactly as shown use the best approximation you can. Tip:. If the collet is "stuck" in the HSRT shaft, with the collet nut off, insert an accessory (sanding drum), pinch the collet onto the accessory with your fingers, twist and pull both the collet and the accessory out.
3. Check the collet size. 1/8 in. is the most common size of accessory shaft. Use the sanding drum or a 1/8 in. drill bit to be sure of the size. Fit the shaft into the collet and see that it is a snug fit. Note: If you are using a 3/32 in. collet AND a 3/32 in accessory bit, that will work.
4. Place the collet into the hollow end of the HSRT shaft as far as it will go. Put the collet nut on a few turns only.
5. Insert the accessory bit shaft into the collet on the HSRT. The shaft MUST go into the collet at least 3/4 in. If it can't go in, loosen the collet nut a little.
6. Tighten the collet nut. Press and hold the spindle lock, then turn the collet nut by hand as far as you can. Use the wrench to tighten a little more. Apply moderate pressure on the little wrench but try not to over tighten.
Accessory Properly Installed. Note that the accessory shaft is completely inside the collet.
A variety of speed settings. Different HSRT's have different ways of indicating speed. Note that the large 15 and 14 refer to 15,000 rpm & 14,000rpm. The numbers 2,4,6,8,10 (beside the "slider"switch) refer to relative speed. 2 is low and 10 is high, usually 5,000rpm to 30 or 35,000rpm!
7. Wear your safety glasses. Be sure the switch is in the OFF position, and plug in your HSRT. Turn it ON at low speed and check to see that it is running smoothly. Turn it up to the maximum speed recommended for the accessory you are using and again check for smooth operation. If you note excessive vibration, turn tool OFF, unplug and repeat the above procedure checking to be sure the accessory is not bent or damaged and is inserted properly into the collet.
Now, for more fun:
To learn more about accessories click ACCESSORIES
To learn more about attachments for your HSRT click ATTACHMENTS
To learn about working in different materials click HOW2
If you are happy with your knowledge of accessories, attachments, and how2 materials,..Try a PROJECTS
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