by Bernard Martin

When you’re boring deep holes or milling with long tool overhangs, the holder system becomes just as important as the cutter. Dorian’s Milling Solution Tool system is built around solving the real-world challenges machinists face every day: chatter, deflection, inconsistent surface finishes, and the need to switch quickly between boring, milling, and facing operations without rebuilding the entire setup.

What Sets the Solution Tool System Apart
The foundation of the system is a modular, vibration-damping bar engineered to stay stable at ratios that would normally push a standard boring bar into chatter. By controlling vibration right in the bar itself, the system improves surface finish, protects insert life, and gives you more freedom to increase feedrates without sacrificing accuracy.

For anyone who has tried boring at 6×D or deeper, this feature alone is a major advantage.

One Universal Bar – Five Quick-Change Heads
Dorian built this system around a universal anti-vibration boring and milling bar. No matter what job you’re running, you start with the same bar and just swap the head on the front end. The bar is available in 42 mm, 50 mm, and 63 mm diameters with 4×D, 6×D, 8×D, and 10×D boring ratios, so you can pick the length that fits your envelope instead of fighting with a bar that's too long or too short.

The bar has a quick-change connection on the front and a machine taper connection on the back, so it becomes the common “spine” of the system. Once it’s locked into your HSK, CAT, BT, or SK holder, it stays there – you only change the head.

That one bar accepts five different quick-change heads:

• Single insert finishing boring head – for dialing in size and surface finish when tolerance actually matters. This is what you reach for when you care about roundness, straightness, and a clean bore instead of just getting the hole roughed out.
• Twin insert roughing boring head – for pulling big chips out fast. Two inserts share the load so you can bump up feed and still keep cutting forces balanced.
• Step insert roughing boring head – for staged, heavy roughing where you want to peel material in steps, thin the chip, and keep the cut stable at long overhangs.
• ER collet end mill and drill head – an ER-style collet holder mounted on the same quick-change interface. That lets you run end mills or drills off the anti-vibration bar when you need reach and stability at the same time, instead of hanging tools out of a standard holder.
• Face mill adapter head – a face mill interface that turns the bar into a rigid, long-reach facing tool for squaring, shoulder work, and surfacing at depth.

All five heads use the same quick-change connection, locked with a taper screw and orientation/drive features so you don’t need special tools or a big routine to swap them. You slide the head in, seat it on the taper, tighten the locking screw, and you’re back cutting. Coolant feeds through the bar and out through the head, so chip evacuation and tool life stay under control even at the longer ratios.

If you don’t need to swap heads, Dorian also offers integral versions where these same head styles are built directly onto dedicated bars. Those are aimed at shops that want maximum rigidity and repeat setups on a single operation, but the universal bar with five quick-change heads is the core of the Milling Solution system and where most shops will start.

Holder Taper Options
The bars can be mounted using HSK-A, SK, CAT, or BT tapers, so it’s easy to match your current machine lineup. Each taper is available in common sizes and configured to transmit torque without sacrificing the damping characteristics of the bar.

Why Machinists Notice the Difference
The advantage of the Dorian system shows up the moment you start working at length. Any time you’re boring, facing, or milling with a long overhang, the bar becomes the limiting factor. A bar that can control vibration gives you more usable cutting parameters, more consistent finishes, and fewer surprises mid-cut.

In day-to-day use, the system stands out because:

• The internal damping lets the bar stay stable at ratios where a conventional holder would start chattering.
• Coolant runs through the bar and exits at the head, which keeps heat in check and clears chips even when you’re working deep into a part.
• One universal bar supports five different heads, so you don’t need to dedicate multiple tool pockets or changeholders every time you switch from roughing to finishing.
• The consistent connection between bar and head keeps your offsets repeatable, reducing touch-off time and helping you maintain predictable results from part to part.

If your work includes deep bores, extended milling reaches, or operations where tool stability directly affects tolerance, the Dorian system provides a controlled, repeatable platform. Cuts stay smoother, tool life becomes more predictable, and setups become easier to manage across different operations.

Standard toolholders don’t always get the job done. Maybe you’ve got a deep-pocketed part that needs a long-reach solution. Maybe you’re dealing with tight clearances on a 5-axis job. Or maybe you’re chasing better finishes and tighter tolerances, and your current setup just isn’t cutting it—literally. When that happens, you’re usually stuck waiting weeks for a custom solution. That’s where Parlec’s Turbo Turn changes the game.

Now, despite the name, this has nothing to do with turning. “Turbo Turn” refers to fast turnaround—as in, how quickly Parlec can engineer and build a custom toolholder that’s made specifically for your application. It’s all about speed, precision, and eliminating the production delays that typically come with special tooling.

Turbo Turn is Parlec’s rapid-response solution for CNC milling machines—vertical, horizontal, or 5-axis. If your part or fixture setup doesn’t play nice with standard holders, Turbo Turn gives you a made-to-order alternative that’s rigid, precise, and ready to go.
These holders are fully customized, but there are a few key areas that Parlec commonly modifies—and they make a big difference in real-world performance.

Need a specific taper? Turbo Turn supports CAT, BT, DIN, NMTB, and HSK tapers, and other options are available upon request. If you’re working with BIG-PLUS®, Ingersoll, or custom spindles, you can also request Simulfit® dual-contact tapers for better rigidity.

Coolant configuration is another big one. You can specify coolant input through the flange or center (AD/B), and set up coolant output ports or grooves to match your cutting tool’s requirements. If your operation depends on high-pressure through-coolant, Parlec can build that right in.

You can also define your gauge length exactly—no more stacking spacers or making compromises in tool reach. And if you’re running high-RPM spindles, balance holes can be added to keep everything dialed in for smoother rotation. There’s even an option for an RFID chip pocket so you can integrate tool data tracking without additional hardware clamped to the machine.

As far as interfaces, you’re not limited to just one style. Parlec’s Turbo Turn supports shrink-fit (standard and heavy wall), facemill holders (coolant or standard), and ER collet chucks across BT, CAT, and HSK formats. They even offer aerospace-specific solutions if you’re working in high-spec environments.

The big win here is that all these customizations are built into the initial design—so you’re not modifying a standard toolholder after the fact. And because Parlec builds these fast, you’re not waiting around while your job sits idle. You get exactly what your application calls for—and you get it quickly.

If you’ve been making do with compromises or waiting too long for “specials,” it’s time to look at Turbo Turn. Parlec built this program for shops that don’t have time to wait and don’t want to settle for anything less than perfect-fit performance.
​
Want to dive deeper? Check out the Turbo Turn Flyer below or reach out to the team at F&L Technical Sales. We’ll work with you to design a toolholder that fits your machine, your part, and your production schedule.

Toolholder selection plays a critical role in achieving high accuracy, repeatability, and performance. Among the various options available, hydraulic milling chucks provide a versatile and efficient niche solution. But how do they compare to ER collet chucks, end mill holders, and shrink-fit toolholders? In this article, we'll delve into where hydraulic chucks fit as the best choice in some applications.
​
Why Choose Hydraulic Chucks?
Hydraulic toolholders are best suited for applications where precision, vibration damping, and high gripping force are essential. Their hydraulic expansion mechanism provides uniform clamping pressure around the tool shank, reducing runout and improving surface finish.

These benefits make them particularly well-suited for:

• High-speed milling – Superior Total Indicated Runout (TIR) control enhances tool balance, reducing vibrations and extending tool life.
• Finishing applications – Improved accuracy and rigidity result in superior surface quality.
• High-precision holemaking – Consistent tool positioning ensures tight tolerances in drilling, reaming, and boring operations.
• Five-axis machining – Low runout and uniform clamping pressure help maintain precise tool engagement in complex multi-axis toolpaths.

​
Hydraulic Milling Chucks tend to excel across various industries and machining tasks. They’re particularly well-suited for applications in:

• Aerospace & Defense - Achieve precision in critical components where tolerances are non-negotiable.
• Medical Devices - Produce intricate parts with confidence in accuracy and surface quality.
• Mold and Die Manufacturing - Ensure flawless finishes on molds and dies for high-production environments.

​Hydraulic Chucks vs. ER Collet Chucks
ER collet chucks are widely used in general machining applications due to their flexibility in gripping a range of tool diameters. However, they have inherent drawbacks when compared to hydraulic chucks:

• TIR Control – Ultra-precision ER collets are available with TIR specifications of less than 0.0002" (5µm) with the right collet and careful operator set-up and installation in a presenter with a torque wrench, whereas hydraulic chucks can easily achieve runout as low as 0.00012" (3µm) at 3×D, with just a t handle wrench ensuring precise tool positioning and superior surface finishes.
• Clamping Force – Hydraulic chucks distribute uniform pressure around the tool shank, preventing slippage and reducing micro-movements, unlike ER collets, which apply force from the sides and may introduce slight misalignment due to over torque (collet twisting) or under torque (tool slippage).
• Setup Efficiency – Hydraulic chucks enable fast, tool-free setup, whereas ER collets require torque wrenches and careful tightening to maintain consistent holding power.

Hydraulic Chucks vs. End Mill Holders
​End mill holders provide the most secure mechanical grip using a set screw to hold the tool in place, making them an economical and widely used choice for milling applications. However, it goes without saying that they fall short in most other areas:

• TIR and Concentricity – Set screw holders often introduce runout exceeding 0.0005” (12µm), which can reduce tool life and compromise precision.
• Vibration Dampening – Hydraulic chucks significantly reduce cutting forces and chatter, leading to smoother operation and longer tool life.
• Surface Finish – Reduced vibrations translate to improved finish quality compared to end mill holders, which can introduce chatter due to uneven clamping pressure.

As a general rule you should NEVER use an end mill holder for tools smaller than 5/8" diameter shank. 

Hydraulic Chucks vs. Shrink-Fit Toolholders
​Shrink-fit toolholders offer high rigidity and precision, making them a top choice for high-speed machining. Unlike shrink fit tool holding systems that require extensive setup or heating equipment, Hydraulic Chucks offer a straightforward setup process. Shrink fit also come with drawbacks in cost and handling:

• Investment Cost – Shrink-fit systems require specialized heating and cooling equipment, increasing initial setup expenses, whereas hydraulic chucks offer similar precision and rigidity without the need for additional equipment.
• Ease of Use – While shrink-fit holders require heating cycles to install and remove tools, hydraulic chucks allow for rapid tool changes with a simple tightening screw.
• Heat Sensitivity – Shrink-fit holders can be susceptible to dimensional changes over time from thermal expansion and contraction, whereas hydraulic chucks maintain consistent clamping pressure at all times.

When compared to other toolholding methods, hydraulic chucks stand out for their ease of use, precision, and efficiency. Their locking mechanism simplifies tool changes, reducing downtime and eliminating the need for costly setup equipment like shrink-fit machines or precision presetters.
​
Unlike ER collet chucks, which require careful torque adjustments, or end mill holders, which can introduce excessive runout, hydraulic chucks provide consistent clamping pressure with minimal operator intervention. This streamlined setup not only enhances machining accuracy and tool life but also increases shop productivity, allowing machinists to focus on throughput without sacrificing quality.

For shops looking to improve accuracy, tool life, and machining efficiency, Techniks Triton Hydraulic Milling Chucks are an excellent alternative to ER collet chucks, end mill holders, and shrink-fit toolholders. Their combination of precision, rigidity, and cost-effectiveness makes them the preferred choice for manufacturers seeking to optimize machine performance without unnecessary complexity or expense.
​
For shops looking to improve accuracy, tool life, and machining efficiency, Techniks Triton Hydraulic Milling Chucks are an excellent alternative to ER collet chucks, end mill holders, and shrink-fit toolholders. Their combination of precision, rigidity, and cost-effectiveness makes them the preferred choice for manufacturers seeking to optimize machine performance without unnecessary complexity or expense.

To learn more about Techniks Triton Chucks or to schedule some time test one, get in contact with our team at F&L Technical Sales.

It's that time of year for IMTS!

​Here's a preview of some of the products that are going to be featured during the International Manufacturing Technology Show September 12-17.  You can see all of these new products and talk to the manufacturers in the Tooling & Workholding Systems Pavilion in the West Building Level 3. 

Supermini Set. Horn USA is featuring the Supermini tool holder system with face clamping as a set, in response to customer requests for different tooling system heights. With this holder variant, clamping is not carried out via the lateral surface of the cutting insert but via a clamping wedge on the face. This results in a greater holding force on the insert and thus high rigidity of the entire system. This increases repeatability when changing the insert and provides better utilization of the available space. This is a big time saver on Swiss-type lathes, as the user can change the cutting insert without removing the tool holder.

New carbide grades for system DAH8 - Horn USA is expanding its range of carbide grades for its DAH milling system to enable its use for machining a wider range of materials. The new grades SC6A and IG6B complement the tool system for high-feed milling. The SC6A grade is suitable for machining the ISO M material group, as well as ISO S materials as a secondary application. Horn has developed the IG6B grade for machining the ISO P group, while it is also suitable as a multipurpose grade for other material groups.

If you would like to learn more about any of these products or to see a demonstration, get in contact with us and we'll set up some time with you to visit your shop!

Techniks is excited to announce that they have compiled 2D and 3D model files for each product available on www.techniksusa.com.

That’s almost 4,800 total SKUs, 9,600 2D and 3D model drawings added for your convenience!

The addition of downloadable CAD files is just the next phase in our continued development of our site to improve its user-friendliness.

​You can now find your specific drawings through directly searching for the part number in the “Drawings” section of the main menu or by navigating directly to the product page. 

​Simply navigate to the appropriate product table, locate the item you need, and click on the drawing file format you require. You will see a links to the 2D DWG and 3D STP files in the right-hand columns.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Techniks is adding more drawings every day, but if you do not find the drawings you
need let them know at [email protected] and they'll prioritize your request to get you the drawings you need, FAST!

As you begin to take advantage of their available CAD files, please don't hesitate to continue to provide feedback on your website experience. It’s been with your help that Techniks is able to provide the highest levels of customer service.

The 2021 Techniks Catalog is available for download now!!  It features the MegaFORCE Retention Knobs that we talked about in our February Article as well as the new Triton Hydraulic Holders. 

The only thing standing between a job well done and catastrophic failure is the retention knob. MegaFORCE Retention Knobs are designed to deliver superior performance and enhanced safety for the critical connection between your machine spindle and the tool holder.  Retention Knobs are subjected to extreme pulling forces of up to 5,000 ft. lbs. Over time, this stress exploits weaknesses in the retention knob and can lead to breakage.

MegaFORCE Retention Knobs have been designed and manufactured to increase the strength and durability of this critical connection.

​The longer overall length engages threads deeper in the tool holder, reducing taper swelling and maximizing taper/spindle contact for the most rigid connection. MegaFORCE also features a redesigned, blended radii for improved overall strength, making MegaFORCE the strongest high-torque retention knob in the market.

The Triton Hydraulic Holders by Techniks feature a new hydraulic design to provides excellent vibration damping properties, so tools run longer and quieter and produce superior surface finishes. Triton provides 3.5X clamping force of standard hydraulic chucks.

Triton hydarulic chucks are charged with hydraulic fluid in a vacuum chamber to eliminate air and gas from the system. Coupled with a redesigned oil sealing system, Triton chucks are built to provide maximum holding power for years!

You can page view or download the new catalog below!

by Bernard Martin

Retention Knobs are the critical connection between your machine tool and the tool holder and they are the only thing holding a steep taper tool holder in the machine’s spindle.

​Techniks has recently introduced their MegaFORCE retention knobs that have some rather unique features when compared to standard pull studs.  Before delving into the features of the MegaFORCE pull studs, let's review some things that you may not know, or think about, on a daily basis. 

However, if you're running multiple shifts, 24-7, making lots of tool changes, making very heavy cuts with long reach or heavy cutting tools, and/or have ball lock style grippers instead of collet type grippers used on the retention knob, you will probably need to replace your studs at least every six months.

Given the spindle speeds that we are running at to remain competitive, retention knobs are not an item that you want to take a chance on breaking.  I can tell you firsthand that 5 pound toolholder with a drill in it flying out of the spindle at 23,000 RPM is not something you want to experience. 

Pull studs encounter catastrophic failure as a result of metal fatigue. The metal fatigue can be caused by a number of reasons including poor choice of base material, engineering design, machining process, poor heat treatment, and, sometimes, they have just met or exceeded their service life. We're going to dig into each of these reasons below but first let's look at some threading fundamentals.

That is why the length of engagement of the thread on a pull stud is generally limited to approximately one to one & a half nominal diameter. After that, there is no appreciable increase in strength. Once the applied load has exceeded the first thread's capacity, it will fail and subsequently cause the remaining threads to fail in succession.

The most common failure point for a retention knob is at the top of the first thread and the underside of the pull stud where the grippers or ball bearings of the drawbar engage and draw the toolholder into the spindle.

Remember, bigger Radii are stronger than sharp corners. ​More on that soon.

Not all retention knobs are made from the same material, however, material alone does not make for a superior retention knob. Careful attention to design and manufacturing methods must be followed to avoid introducing potential areas of failure.

MegaFORCE retention knobs are made from 8620H. AISI 8620 is a hardenable chromium, molybdenum, nickel low alloy steel often used for carburizing to develop a case-hardened part. This case-hardening will result in good wear characteristics.  8620 has high hardenability, no tempering brittleness, good weldability, little tendency to form a cold crack, good maintainability, and cold strain plasticity.

There are some companies making retention knobs from 9310. The main difference is the lower carbon content in the 9310. 9310 has a tad more Chromium, while 8620 has a tad more nickel.  Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) is the force at which a material will break. The UTS of 8620H is 650 Mpa (megapascals: a measure of force). The UTS of 9310H is 820 Mpa. So, 9310H does have a UTS that is 26% greater than 8620H.

​That said, Techniks chose 8620 as their material of choice because of the higher nickel content.  Nickel tends to work harden more readily and age harden over time which brings the core hardness higher as the pull stud gets older. The work hardening property of 8620 makes it ideally suited for cold forming of threads on the MegaFORCE retention knobs.

​It should be noted that some companies are using H13. H13 shares 93% of their average alloy composition in common with 9310. 

Rolled threads produce a radiused root and crest of the thread and exhibit between a 40% and 300% increase in tensile strength over a cut thread. The Techniks MegaFORCE retention knobs feature rolled threads that improve the strength of the knob by 40%.  

In order to maximize the life of your retention knob and prevent catastrophic failure here are some technical tips to keep your shop productive and safe.

Special thanks for Greg Webb at Techniks and Mike Roden from Fette Tools/ Turning Concepts, for providing technical insights. 

Tech Tip: Techniks and Parlec

Tech Tip: Techniks and Parlec

Many operators do not know why it is necessary to replace their tooling, or have the experience to tell when it is time to do so.

Determining if toolholder components need to be replaced is not a difficult task, but does require that the operator knows what to look for.

A worn out holder will not provide good accuracy and will quickly wear out your cutting tools. Worn tooling causes poor surface finish, and may damage your spindle.

This article will discuss the following types of causes and types of wear.

1. Spindle Mouth Wear
2. ATC Alignment Issues
3. Taper Wear / Fretting