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

Quick report back.

Bought a couple of tool holders from Myford, quality seems excellent and fit perfectly, so much so that i would say they are better than the A & R tool holders, anyhow, there you go..

Cheers..

Rather disappointing A&R are not around anymore.

I seriously underestimated how many holders you can need when I bought a tool post from them and now to get some more.

Does anyone know what size the A&R Dixon style tool posts are? I'm trying to track down some holders out here in New Zealand, but am not sure on the size (I think it's S00).

Other option is to get some from Myford or RDG (not sure if RDG ones fit).

I have 4 A&R, a Bison and a 3 Warco holders and they all work well with my Bison toolpost.

The cam rotation does vary more so on the Warco holders but they are all too thick rather than to thin so could be fettled to fit better - importantly they've never let go or even worked loose, including the Warco parting blade holder which has seen some scary moments parting 60mm EN24T

Edited By Russ B on 02/10/2015 12:40:09

The Rotagrip website gives all the dimensions for the Dickson and Bison versions of the toolpost and holders.

Thanks, I'm guessing it's Type T00M. Rotagrip quote 58mm across by 37mm high. Mine is 56.5mm by 35mm. Also Rotagrip give measurement "A" as 48mm mine is 44.3mm.

I may try eith Myford or RDG holders (RDG seem much cheaper-reflection of quality?). Locally the seem to be around NZ$100 (40 pounds) each which will limit the number I can afford.

I'll check a couple of other places here in case they have better prices, as it would be good to know they fit well.

I must be one of the few people who were unhappy with A & R.

I bought a tool post and 4 holders from them last year. With the holder in place the locking position on the cam was a long way off being right. It was only after fettling the shoulders on the clamping bush (if that's what it's called) that I got the clamping position feeling right i.e. you could feel the cam pinching securely.

They now work fine but it took a couple of hours to get there.

With the above in mind I think there are always likely to be problems with any mix and match from different makers.

As a footnote I must be one of the few people who have not taken the Dickson tool post, I don't really like the system and as such I rarely use it, Much prefer the quick setting norman tool posts on my M type.

My A&R holders seem to fit well with he tool post, maybe I'm just lucky, or possibly their standards slipped before they went into receivership (I bought mine a couple of years ago, although only recently got it).

I see RDG now have holders which will drop lower than the the Myford/A&R ones. I may try one of those as I have a few tools which fit in the standard holders, but won't drop low enough to get tip at centre height (been grinding a few mm off the bottom of the tools).

RDG said they were not familiar with the A&R tool posts so couldn't confirm their holders would fit. It's a bit of a hassle as I can't check (being in NZ).