Help me buy a QCTP

[Pete O]

Thanks for those links Vinny. The maximum centre height of the CXA looks okay at 2 1/4" as my lathe's centre height is 2 1/8 above the compound, it becomes a problem with boring bars as the tool tip is halfway down the bar- I'm thinking I can put a machined plate under the toolpost to eliminate that problem, as long as I can still get a turning / facing tool low enough.
Another problem I'm going to face (no pun intended) is that the carbide insert holders I'm using are a 32x32mm shank, i.e. approx 1 1/4" square, (MTGNL and MTGNR 32x32) I already milled them down to fit in my SCTP, perhaps I can reduce the shank some more and open up the slot in a couple of the toolholders.
At present I'm having to put a plate under the toolpost to get a boring bar up to centre height, then remove the plate to get a turning tool low enough. Adds another annoying stage to changing tools with the 4-way toolpost. I really do not want to have the same problem with a QCTP!

My lathe does not have a T-slot in the compound, just a 3/4" threaded hole. The 4-way holder rotates on a 1 1/2" spigot that is part of the bolt that holds it down
   
I think I'm going to have to mill a couple of flats on that thing to get it out.

I'm also wondering if there's enough metal there to mill a T-slot, the top of the compound is 1" thick.

The odds of my Kobe lathe appearing in the Aloris chart was pretty slim, I've never even been able to find a photo of another one!