I have been telling myself for a good while that I need a QCTP for my lathe, takes me half a day to change tools with my 4-way toolpost and I have to put a plate under it to get a boring bar up to centre height. I have a little extra cash (back pay) coming my way and I feel that I can justify a little purchase, this seems to be something that will make my machining projects move along a lot better so...
I am hoping you blokes might be able to help me understand what size I need, and even point me in the direction of an appropriate setup. When I look at catalogues with QCTPs they are sized by lathe swing; is that all I need to go by?
The attached photos will show various measurements on my lathe that i think are relevant;
Centre height above the bed is 11 inches
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height of the centre above the carriage is about 7 1/2"
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height of the tool when on centre, above the compound is 2 1/8"
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and finally this photo just shows the size of the 4-way toolpost
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If i'm just to go by the lathe swing, it seems I need a DA size. What else should I be taking into account?
big as your lathe is I would get and Aloris CX, you could get a BX but you would have to put a shim plate under it. even if you don't get an aloris their catalog may help you decide
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Dallen is correct on the size, but before you commit to a purchase search EBay, Craig's List, etc for a used one.
BTW, I've used both the wedge type and the piston type with the wedge version being my preferred design as they do not hang up as often nor as easily.
You'll love it. Snap, click, cut. Just like that. I bought a cheapo piston type from CDCO, no regrets.
I agree that a CA or 400 size is what you want. I picked up a set in the same size (wedge type QCTP, #1, #2, #4, #7 and #10 tool holders) plus an additional #2 tool holder from tools4cheap about 4 1/2 years ago and it cost me about $450 shipped from the US. The whole lot fitted into three large US post boxes. Unfortunately tools4cheap has closed down.
I've hear the quality of the CDCO ones are not as good but I haven't seen them myself. You will need to find a supplier who is willing to pack them into regular US mail boxes rather than want to use a courier.
I've purchased some items from Shars and found them to be fairly good. Shars.com
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I've hear the quality of the CDCO ones are not as good but I haven't seen them myself. You will need to find a supplier who is willing to pack them into regular US mail boxes rather than want to use a courier.
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I've bought somewhere between 250 to 300 blocks from CDCO, I've never gotten a block, that was bad, in any way. I do change the set screws. Not everything I've bought from them was great, but the QCTP blocks are a incredible buy.
I couldn't open the aloris catalogue- our interweb link is dodgy at present, almost back to dial-up speeds. Looking at the dimensions on the Shars website it appears that I would be at the very limit of a CXA so probably better with a CA size.
Looking at the ones on this page
http://www.shars.com/products/toolholdin...ol_post=CA
What is the advantage of using the 'heavy duty' boring bar holder as opposed to putting a boring bar in the #2 type holder? Also I'm thinking I might be better to get the toolpost itself plus a handful of #1 and #2 type holders; I've taken to using the carbide parting tool shown in my lathe in the photos above, which would be held in a #1 type holder, also I reckon I would prefer to make one of Tom's knurling tools which would also be held in a #1.
Any opinions on the ones Shars have?
Heading away for a couple of days so forgive me if I don't respond to any suggestions straight away.
I bought an AXA Wedge type from CDCO and have had no problems. My Logan came with a piston type. One of these days I'm going to switch them and put the piston on the mini-lathe and the wedge on the Logan. The wedge is better by far.
Check out
http://www.ctctools.biz/ since they're on your side of the planet. They're in process of moving but say they'll be back May 1st. I'm pretty sure they had QCTPs, I know I was looking at ER32 collets they had till I found some German made collets closer.
Often they are sold as a set and you get stuck with a crap bump knurler and the parting blade holder. I took the knurl wheels of and milled the slot full length. The heavy duty boring bar gives you larger capacity than the #2 tool holder.