Question Exhaust adapter and Automatic Tool Changer

I'm a cnc/stepcraft newbie looking at stepcraft products and remain with some questions, I hope some more experienced user can give me some feedback:

I'm looking at the 2/600 or 2/840 using the HF Spindle and the automatic tool changer.

- To avoid dust all over the place, could I add and use the exhaust adapter in combination with the automatic tool changer?
- To get a polished effect on the sides of acrylic/plexiglass milling, I saw a datron.de video (link: www.datron.com/tools/acrylic-tools.php ), making a beautifull part with really smooth edges. The story tells, that they accomplished this using their specific endmills. Can those tools also be used on the StepCraft, and would it also be possible to get comparable result using StepCraft?
- Could the threading in acrylic also be made (as in the video link above) using stepcraft?

Thanks very much in advance ...

I can answer one of your questions at least.

I used a single flute solid carbide end mill to cut 3 mm acrylic sheet and got a very smooth but opaque edge. If you want it transparent you would have to flame polish but I don't think any further sanding or preparation would be required. See this thread 7th post down (#46585):

https://www.stepcraft-systems.com/en/forum/accessories/4125-industrial-quality-small-hf-spindle-from-stoneycnc

Doug

If you want to really get into the different ways of polishing acrylic, this video gives a good comparison - depending on what your intended uses for the acrylic is:


For more info on the automatic tool changer with the exhaust adapter, look here:
www.stepcraft-systems.com/en/forum/accessories/4881-couple-add-ons-for-my-840#50900
@MWinn made a different tool holder, spaced wider (1.25" on centre) - presumably changing the scripts for the tool changer as well - to make it work with an exhaust adapter. If you're wanting more info, you could try contacting him. The different exhaust adapters (for different spindles) may have different specifications, so those details may be important to note. (He doesn't use the HF-500 spindle)

I hope this helps!