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+--- Thread: Great Tool Post (/thread-740.html)
Great Tool Post - claudef - 08-20-2012
Well I got tired of the square tool post with the continuous shimming on my Compact5 lathe. I made this QCTP and am very happy with the outcome, the performance is as sturdy as the square one, I also made many adaptors so tools are always ready for use. There was a small piece of adapter material left over so I made an Indicator holder with it. I made the dovetail cutter from an old spot face cutter I had. I plan on changing all the ¼-20 cap screws for set screws next week. This is a fairly easy project if you have a mill and lathe.
Yes SteveC I used my home made Drill/mill for this project.
RE: Great Tool Post - ferryman - 08-20-2012
Good job Claude,
Got any pics of the actual build process?
Phil
RE: Great Tool Post - EdK - 08-21-2012
Claude,
Very nice job on making the QCTP set. What material is it made out of?
Thanks,
Ed
RE: Great Tool Post - DaveH - 08-21-2012
Claude,
Great job
looks very nice 
Made your own dove tail cutter - very impressive
DaveH
RE: Great Tool Post - claudef - 08-21-2012
(08-21-2012, 05:52 AM)EdK Wrote: Claude,
Very nice job on making the QCTP set. What material is it made out of?
Thanks,
Ed
The steel parts are made of 4340 and the post with adapters are made of 6061 aluminium, all stock I had on hand.
RE: Great Tool Post - claudef - 08-21-2012
(08-20-2012, 07:55 PM)ferryman Wrote: Good job Claude,
Got any pics of the actual build process?
Phil
I did not take pictures of the machining process because the procedure was very simple and standard. For the post, I milled the block to size and then milled the dovetail feature, I then drilled a 1/2" hole where the cam lock goes. I then transferred the post to the lathe and bored the 1/2" hole to the required sizes for thew camlock. I then turned all the camlock pieces for the bore and went back to the mill to drill and ream the piston holes.
For the adapters I milled the dovetail in a 12" long piece of flatstock then cut it into lenghts for the adapters.
RE: Great Tool Post - stevec - 08-21-2012
Claude, good job (as usual). I'm really enjoying my QCTP (thanks again Tom), I was able to deterrmine that it's size (BXA) is compatible with my 16 x 60 lathe as well as the 12x36 on which it's presently mounted.
I plan to make my own for the 16 x 60 when I get through with some of the more pressing jobs on "The List". At that time I'll try and do a mass production of toolholders so there will be plenty and all interchangeable.
Claude, did you make the pistons of different length so that the handle will project at the correct angle in both the "turning" mode and the "boring/facing" mode?
RE: Great Tool Post - PixMan - 08-21-2012
stevec,
For a lathe that large (16x60) you should be using at least the CXA size, if not CA. A machine that size should have far more space between the top of the compound slide and the spindle centerline. That's the limiting factor to being able to use heavier tools and use the HP of that lathe. Surely it's got at least 5HP?
I understand the idea of being able to use one set of tools on both machines, but the machines are two different animals. The larger one should be able to use all of it's capability if you can do it.
RE: Great Tool Post - claudef - 08-21-2012
(08-21-2012, 06:51 AM)stevec Wrote: Claude, did you make the pistons of different length so that the handle will project at the correct angle in both the "turning" mode and the "boring/facing" mode?
Stevec... I made my cam with .030" lift, my intention was to play with the piston lengths for handle position but everything worked out great, the handle is at 90 deg. with the cross slide when turning and exactly in line with it when boring, so far I have found no reason play with the piston length.
Important note: measure the dovetail over 1/4" rollers for post and inside rollers for adapters, this should be consistent on all adapters, otherwise the handle will be at different positions on different adapters. You need to use a bit of trig or cad to figure out the over roller measurements.
Claude
RE: Great Tool Post - doubleboost - 08-21-2012
Very nice
I did buy a tool post but made my own tool holders
I like the idea of the holder with the DTI mounted very simple but effective
You mentioned a home made mill drill any chance of some pictures
John