A & R Precision 'Dickson' Toolpost -- Screws Used

I used to have a large TOS lathe with a big Dickson type holder on it 4 or 5 size and I got that fed up with swarf wrapping round the stick up bits I reverted to allen grub screws and cut the hight screws down as much as possible.

It made it a far easier and safer lathe to use.

Hi gents

Thank you for your replies.

I did ring A&R, there view was that clamping pressure is uniform at all points on the eccentric. I’m not so sure, it currently locks a good 45 deg. from TDC, which as I’ve said just doesn’t feel right.

A small amount skimmed off the inside face of the shoulder on the spring loaded clamping bush will draw the bush in a little more and the eccentric will get closer to TDC.

I am still mulling it over a may give that a try. I do take your point about getting to close to TDC, that would be detrimental.

Some years ago I made GH Thomas spring loaded retracting tool holder and found that the eccentric locked the tool securely (and felt right) about 10 deg from TDC.

Thanks again geoff

Checking my T2 size Dickson and Rapid tool posts with "various makes" holder collection the real thing seems to go 60° or 70° (ish) between fully slack (BDC) and locked. Dickson being more 60° and Rapid more 70° (and a bit sometimes). Much less would surely adversely affect height setting as the setting flange would not be properly supported by the snail groove.

I guess the industrial boys would know best as you need a good lock with a hefty cut going on.

Socket head screws in a swarf area. Barf!!

If the sticky up bits are a problem with swarf its time to look to the tool chip breaker. Not futz around re-engineering the QC system to make it less convenient to use. As I've said before the conventional QC system is more than a little illogical. Given a modicum of engineering intellect it being as easy to arrange equally rapid interchange of loaded tool blocks. So if you have a mega swarf problem, as with nylon for example, some nice 50's fashion streamlined blocks could be made with minimal projections.

Clive

Hi Geoff,

As a dispassionate observer, i suspect that it doesn't feel right simply because it's different to what you were used to.

The real test is does it hold firm under an interrupted cut.

Neil

I had exactly the same problem with my recently-bought A&R toolpost. A&R told me that it was to allow for future wear but I think it's a manufacturing problem or oversight of some kind. I haven't used the toolpost as it is as it didn't feel like the toolholder was securely gripped to me.

I have one which I bought several years ago from them which I've been very happy with and the clamping position is what I would call 'right' but the new one doesn't seem to have been quite as well made (as well as the above problem). To be fair to A&R, they did offer me a refund but I'd much rather that it was right in the first place, even if that meant putting the price up a little.

Hi Gavin,

You're right the tool holder is not gripped securely.

For it to grip securely the cam needs to be nearer to tdc

If you remove the shouldered locking bush and carefully file the inside face of the shoulder it will solve the problem. You will need to take equal amounts off both sides so check with a micrometer as you go along.

I found removing about 10 thou did the job.

This brings the 2 webs on the locking pin into a position either side of the flange on the adjusting screw and the cam to about 10-15 degrees off tdc.

You will find that the "feel" is now right with the cam "pinching" and feeling really secure.

Just make sure you don't remove too much material, check as you go along

Hope this helps best regards geoff

Hello all.

I bought a tool post set from A & R precision a while back, am now in need of some additional tool holders but have been unable to contact A & R either by e:mail or phone so not sure if they are still in business.

May be a difficult question to answer, but if i buy some more from say Myford, will they fit ok ?

Thanks for any help.

Hmm that's bizarre, I too have recently tried to contact them with no success in regards to buying some of their excellent quality tooling as they did not email me as arranged.

I'm pretty sure the Myford ones are made shall we say 'out east' so you would need to buy one for a fit check, many other 3rd part sellers also supply these at maybe a better price/

Tony

A&R holders were made to "old" Myford standard requirements and are certainly fully interchangeable with the Myford Dixon toolposts I have along with many holders, old and new A&R. "New" Myford are well aware of the required standard and the old far east versions procured by the other company would not be a good idea.

Well I've waited a while, but still have not been able to make contact with A & R about these tool holders so guess I will have to chance my luck,

Does anyone know if the ones sold by Myford are the same as sold by Rdg tools ?

Edited By Brian Abbott on 08/09/2015 23:20:48

Edited By Brian Abbott on 08/09/2015 23:30:09

Hi Brian,

I have an A&R QCTP and couldn't get a response from A&R either.

I took a punt and bought some genuine standard Myford toolholders and they fit perfectly straight off.

They have slightly thicker lower shelves but not excessively so and I can still use 3/8" tooling on my ML7.

I bought some from Chronos and these were pretty poor but have no experience of the RDG ones.

HTH

Jon

Brian A,

As the same family now own "new" Myford and RGD I would suggest that they are well aware of the required standards as regards sizing and interchangeability. You could always ask the question directly.

KWIL

Good point but I guess RDG source their cheaper ones from a similar Far Eastern source as Chronos.

Perhaps someone from RDG could confirm?

Thanks all for your reply’s
I as with many people just want to be able to purchase a quality product and as such are prepared to pay a little extra for that.
I will order a couple from Myford and see how I get on.
Thanks.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR, I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THIS COMPANY. I AM SIMPLY A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER AND BELIEVE YOU COULD BE TOO."

Signed by an OP

Hi KWIL,

Thanks but the trouble is that information is long out of date IMHO.

I bought a QCTP and holders last year from A&R but haven't seen anything on ebay since then or had responses to phone calls or emails.

Jon

Same here, last contact i had was in February, real shame.
Hopefully they will be back on the seen soon.

According to companies house, A&R Precision went into voluntary liquidation in July 2015.

Jon,

Main intent was to show that the design standards were the correct ones. Shame they apparently have not survived, just goes to show if you do not use UK manufacturing suppliers you loose them. Hence far east ****

Oh that's not good! I was waiting for an email from A & R to let me know when new parts were on sale but that's not going to happen now.

I have personally purchased the tool post & tool holders from RDG & they are in my opinion not the best of quality, not sure if the 'Myford' ones are any better?

Tony