The Shop > Tools
lathe tool post advice
rotorhead:
Hi Andrew,
Hope I'm not treading on too many toes regarding QCTPs, while I can see advantages for them in some instances of personal preference, the 4 way toolpost has served me well for many cherished years...
The 4 way toolpost on my Colchester Master 7-1/2" has been refurbished a couple of times by myself, mainly to accommodate my liking for preset height tooling...
Right from the start I dismissed the practice of shimming...
I found 16mm square toolholders to be the requisite size for this 7-1/2" CH lathe...
So made preset blocks to take 16mm tools to correct CH, even made allinone Parting toolholders, and other profile tooling at 16mm..
Then loaded the 4 way with whatever tool I required to complete the job in hand, and had the convenience of being able to select the right tool just by rotating the 4 way to its positive stopping system...
Coupled this to my system of carriage stop setup, I could efficiently do repeat jobs if needed...
Below are a few pics of bought and shopmade tooling...
The round(RCMT) tools were made handed with the option of mounting the tip either top or bottom to facilitate LH or RH...
As a sort of PS. if you haven't the facilities to make the preset tool toolholders then this reply is sort of pointless and I apologize in advance...
Arbalist:
I use a four way tool post and glue or bolt the required shim to the bottom of the tool holder. This is a no brainier for insert tooling in particular as once set it's never going to change. For most of my turning though I use a Tangential tool holder which is quick and easy to set to centre height using my home made gauge. I realise it's a very personal thing and depends a lot on where your skills have come from but I'm glad I never went the quick change tool post route as it's saved me a lot of money and I don't really have the space for the holders.
Andrew Wildman:
Thanks all. Good food for thought. I still like the idea of the qctp as I use a fair number of HSS tools that I have ground up for various jobs but I can see the benefit of keeping with the 4 way if you mainly use insert tooling or have a toolholder with adjustment built in (tangential tool = future job!)
awemawson:
I'd not be without my QCTP, which is a Dickson T2, along with many holders - some genuine and many home made.
However QCTP's do have their downsides. Inevitably the tool hangs over further from the mounting than (say) a lantern style and this results in less stiffness. Noticeable in parting off for instance.
Andrew Wildman:
100 piston toolpost ordered from arc... we shall see how I get on with it :D
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