I need to use a 1mm endmill. How the heck do I measure tool length without an expensive presetter? Using the tool setter in the machine broke the first one even though I slowed the probing rough feed down to 1ipm (which took forever since it started at G30 
).
I’ve gone as small as 0.040” (1.016) using my ETS without issues and without slowing anything down. Maybe you have a chip or something in your ets causing it to stick? Granted, I have a Steve Strange ets, not the tormach part so there may be a difference in spring strength at play too.
I regularly measure 1mm carbide end mills on my ETS without any slowdown. I also measure .5mm carbide drills with my ETS but I slow down for those because a sneeze can snap them. Maybe put your finger on it to see how much pressure it needs. I would think no more than 1-3oz less than a 1/4 pound to activate.
@dcphoto which tool setter are you using currently?
I work with 0.035” (0.89mm) end mills and have definitely touched them off with our analog setter and am fairly certain I have touched them off with our ETS.
@Davie I’m using the ETS. It’s possible there is something stuck in there, or that the endmill was cracked in shipping and just needed to touch something to break. I don’t have the analog setter; I hadn’t seen it before.
Are there any instructions about ETS disassembly for cleaning?
Set zero somewhere, and then use a busted 0.1250” carbide shank and roll it under the tool. Adjust, roll etc. It will hit the lowest tooth. I now use an mititoyo dial setter. Love it.