You can set up a companion spindle with our Horizontal Spindle Arm Mount for milling in the XZ (G18) or YZ (G19) plane.  This can be a great technique for doing light milling on the end of a very long workpiece.  In this episode of Tormach Fab Lab, Mike C. demonstrates how to get this setup right.

Although not nearly as common as 3- or 4- Jaw chucks, a 2-Jaw Chuck can be quite handy for certain 4th Axis jobs. The jaws on a 2-Jaw chuck are opposite each other (obviously!) and they are driven by a scroll plate, just like the jaws on a 3-Jaw chuck. They are typically used in 2 scenarios:

A popular tech line request is  for more information about setting up a 4th axis.  Earlier, we showed how to true a 4th axis to the mill motion using shims and how to set up a 3 Jaw chuck.   In this new video, Mike  C. demonstrates  how to set up a 4-Jaw chuck on a 4th axis.  He also shows basic tail stock setup.

I met with my friend Bob Warfield (who writes the fantastic machining blog CNC Cookbook and is the author of the popular G-Wizard software tool suite for machinists) for lunch a couple of weeks back on a recent trip to California.

Just got a 4th axis and not sure how to start?  First things first - make sure you know how to properly set it up and align it to your PCNC mill.  Check out our latest Fab Lab Skill builder video to learn how to do it right.

Here's a neat idea that was shared with me by Tormach PCNC 1100 owner Brian Ulrick in Ohio: