09-07-2012, 06:44 PM
Steve,
Here's my story on the piston versus wedge type QCTP. I started out with the piston style on my current lathe and it worked OK. I didn't like the feel of how it locked the holder to the post so when Enco had the Phase II wedge style on sale with free shipping I decided to get one and then sell the one I did not want to keep. I can tell you, I definitely like the feel of the wedge style over the piston style by a long shot. I have no evidence as to whether it holds the tool holders any better than the piston style but to me the wedge style just feels like it locks the tool holder in place much better. So I sold the piston style and have been very happy with my decision. When a friend of mine, yes I do have a few, bought the exact same lathe that I bought he also got the same wedge style Phase II QCTP. He hated it so he got the piston style and is a happy camper. Go figure.
A word of warning. Check the steel blank they send with the QCTP to be machined for the T-nut with a file. Some of them are made of hardened steel and I ruined a few end mills trying to mill one for someone before I realized what the problem was. Why they would make something from hardened steel that they know needs to be milled by the customer is a mystery to me.
Ed
Here's my story on the piston versus wedge type QCTP. I started out with the piston style on my current lathe and it worked OK. I didn't like the feel of how it locked the holder to the post so when Enco had the Phase II wedge style on sale with free shipping I decided to get one and then sell the one I did not want to keep. I can tell you, I definitely like the feel of the wedge style over the piston style by a long shot. I have no evidence as to whether it holds the tool holders any better than the piston style but to me the wedge style just feels like it locks the tool holder in place much better. So I sold the piston style and have been very happy with my decision. When a friend of mine, yes I do have a few, bought the exact same lathe that I bought he also got the same wedge style Phase II QCTP. He hated it so he got the piston style and is a happy camper. Go figure.
A word of warning. Check the steel blank they send with the QCTP to be machined for the T-nut with a file. Some of them are made of hardened steel and I ruined a few end mills trying to mill one for someone before I realized what the problem was. Why they would make something from hardened steel that they know needs to be milled by the customer is a mystery to me.
Ed