Best Quick Change?

Hi,

What is a good quick change toolpost for a Colchester Student size lathe? I already have lots of 5/8" tooling but I am sure I could get away with bigger on a student.

I know that I do not want the type that RDG tools sell I think I would rather the piston type.

Thanks

Alex

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The "classic choice" would be a Dickson type. I have a Dickson clone on my Chipmaster (T1 size). The origin of mine is unknown as it came with the lathe and it has no markings, but its solid and works well. The Student I believe would take the larger T2. A decent clone from a maker such as Bison will leave you a very deep hole in your wallet, especially as you will need a decent quantity of holders to make quick change work for you. I would recommend avoiding the cheaper clones. I bought some cheap toolholders to add to the couple that came with my lathe and they are not very good, very poor threads for the clamping screws and not the greatest fit.

+1 for the Dickson / clone type; I have the 'Bison' clone on my WM250V-F size = T0 plus many holders. You would probably need the T2 to fit your Student. The 'AXA' type are good too, piston or wedge type, but expensive.

George.

I had a dickson type on my student when i bought it

but sold it for lots of dosh on ebay £ 280 with 4 holders

I have the piston type large fitted with now 35 tool holders

Chronos do the tool holders for £25 ish but a few minutes work converts the smaller ( medium) size to a large size dovetail they are only £ 18 each

The dickson type is great but think about the costs of toolholders

See the recent thread about Multifix holders. Don't have time to dig out a link but I'm about to swap my Bantaam over from the original Dickson (factory fit) to Multifix "A" size clones from Create Tools.

Murray

Chronis are advertising made by Sorba but not sure if they have your size. There was some bad reports on here on a Chinese ones recently,

Sorba - India better ???? I don't know.

I prefer the Dixon style and am not convinced the piston ones are any cheaper from the higher end makers - there are several of the them. i vaguely recollect that piston type off Mscdirect is dearer than the Dickson type they sell. Years ago I did buy some cheap Dixon clones and they were fine apart from soft screws holding the tool down so they mushroomed out. This was when Taiwan was the main source though before China really came on line.

John

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Only used the Dickson type which are brilliant. I hear the better of the two piston types is the one with the wedge.