[whitehedr]

I have the R8 spindle replacement on order for my Grizzly X2 mill. The drill chuck that came with my machine has the MT3 taper. I heed a lesson on how to remove that adapter and perhaps a suggestion or two on what would be a reasonable R8 replacement.

RWW

[mactec54]

You have to use 2 wedges that fit behind the chuck, the arbor will have a small shoulder
on it that one wedge will fit against, you rest one wedge on a steel plate and hit the other one with a hammer, just watch the chuck does not fly off on to the floor put something in front of it.

These are for a J2 & J6 Chuck removal

Here is a photo of the wedges so you know what to make or buy

[rc-monster mike]

Interestingly enough, I have been considering swapping from R8 back to MT3. I use the Tormach tools, and the MT3 spindle will allow the entire mill head to be about 3/4" lower on the z axis during machining operations, along with the tool being this much closer to the lower spindle bearing - should increase the overall rigidity. Maybe I am overthinking it?

[whitehedr]

So to make sure I understand ..... One wedge acts as a cradle for the adaptor and the other goes down from the top side and you give it a good smack with the hammer.

Would it work if one was to just put the assembly in a vice and tighten the wedges down by cranking on the vise handle. I think that would be easier to control things.

Thanks for the tip on how to do this.

RWW

[WaveDude]

I've briefly considered changing my MM mill from MT3 to R8 but I've got a lot of MT3 tools already. LMS sells the conversion spindle kit for $55. They sell just the spindle for $54. The tools for installing either are $60 (or make your own). If I did swap, I'd probably just buy the complete R8 spindle box assembly for $120 as it's basically just bolt-on and go.

[whitehedr]

I considered the complete R8 spindle box but I wanted the tools so I went with the conversion kit and tools and video on how to do it.

RWW