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These come up in discussion often....

I have the bright green one.......Is there a comment, or discussion about their use, or is this just an enquiry as to where to purchase one?

Over time, airborne dust and debris will accumulate, and a blast of air may not be sufficient to clear it out prior to using your Morse taper attachments. Regardless, a blast of air after using the green Morse taper cleaner is still a good idea. Probably everyone ought to have one...

-----odie-----
 
Just a share. The green ones - I think- are no longer available. I have one too, but others on this - and other forums - have been looking for them o a replacement. This is the first one I have seen.

I do have a steelM2 "cleanup" tool - that is made for de-burring. But have never needed it because like you Odie, I blow out my head and tailstock, as well as use a tapered bottle brush occasionally, and have the green tool for an occasional use too.
 
Replicating those green plastic cleaners seems like a perfect job for 3-D printing. Turns out years ago somebody thought that too. (https://www.youmagine.com/designs/morse-taper-2-cleaning-tool) I have no idea how good a tool this makes, but it's a place to start. Possibly there are other designs available out in the Spiderverse. Maybe somebody on here is doing 3-D printing and could make a bunch to sell to their friends. Like Tim.
 
Dean Center said:
Replicating those green plastic cleaners seems like a perfect job for 3-D printing. Turns out years ago somebody thought that too. (https://www.youmagine.com/designs/morse-taper-2-cleaning-tool) I have no idea how good a tool this makes, but it's a place to start. Possibly there are other designs available out in the Spiderverse. Maybe somebody on here is doing 3-D printing and could make a bunch to sell to their friends. Like Tim.
Click to expand...
...Thanks Dean. But I have mine already.....
 
Tom Albrecht said:
The Big Kaiser does not specify what the "cleaning strips" are made of that I could see. They look abrasive in the photo, and I'd like to stay away from that.
Click to expand...
Well...based on the number/variety of types of these cleaners they make for the metal machine industry....I seriously doubt that IF the parts that contact the Morse Taper are made of anything as hard as the steel in the Morse Taper. It would sure be counter productive if a manufacturer made a product that damages - rather than cleans - a machine it is used in.
Having said that, I may - or may not have witnessed a monkey tear up a rubber crowbar in my illustrious history......so I am only allowed to use advanced machinery (- such as a wheel barrow -) under strict adult supervision.
In other words......almost anything can be used for good - or bad.
 
So if that is what's needed to keep a MT-2 clean, does one ever need to refresh the mating surfaces? For that matter what do you need to do if your MT-2 has become scratched up?
 
Mark I have a tool that will de-burr a damaged M2. It should only be used on a lathe that has clearly had damage to the taper in the head or tailstock. But, the idea that we all ascribe to is to prevent the damage ( also called galling by some) with proper maintenance. I think this device is merely another tool for cleaning mild deposits, not de-burring. I don't think of scratches as being a big issue - tho, we try to prevent them.
 
Dean Center said:
Replicating those green plastic cleaners seems like a perfect job for 3-D printing. Turns out years ago somebody thought that too. (https://www.youmagine.com/designs/morse-taper-2-cleaning-tool) I have no idea how good a tool this makes, but it's a place to start. Possibly there are other designs available out in the Spiderverse. Maybe somebody on here is doing 3-D printing and could make a bunch to sell to their friends. Like Tim.
Click to expand...
I'll send that link over to our Electronic and Technical Arts studio lead, see if he'll make one for us to try. Will report.
 
Jamie Straw said:
I'll send that link over to our Electronic and Technical Arts studio lead, see if he'll make one for us to try. Will report.
Click to expand...

Jamie......the green MT-2 cleaner I have is not a hard plastic. It is fairly stiff, but has a little give to it, or sponginess. I no nothing about 3D printers, but this might be a point to discuss with your lead person. IMHO, it's kind of like a windshield wiper.....it works better when it's new and has some pliability to it.....and it doesn't work as well when the rubber blade stiffens with age.

-----odie-----
 
The plans for the 3D show a MT-shaped piece with recesses in which you place felt. The felt is what contacts the taper, I suspect. Our ETA lead loves this stuff, and is willing to make modifications when asked. I truly wish I had the type of brain that can handle to programming for 3D printing, it is fascinating stuff! We have made inserts for all of our bandsaws -- one company in particular produces saws that require a proprietary insert -- no going to Amazon -- and they cost around $15 each! Crazy. We just measured and printed like 20 of them.
 
Jamie Straw said:
The plans for the 3D show a MT-shaped piece with recesses in which you place felt.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a plan, Jamie.......let us know how it works out.

-----odie-----
 
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