Quick Change Tool Post WM280

Prior to ordering one I would like to know your views on which QCTP is more suitable for the WM280. I did a fair amount of research on the forum and from what I gathered the most common types are the Dixon piston type and the wedge type (ARC)

Last time I checked the Warco webshop they have a Dixon style which would fit the WM280, but it's permanently out of stock. ARCeuro have wedge types 000 and 100 (not sure which size would fit my lathe) These seem to fit my lathe if I remove the tool post stud and replace it with the one which comes with the qctp

What are your views and opinions?

I vote for the Aloris clones with wedge, not piston, locking. The Asian sourced toolholders are quite inexpensive. My 13" lathe came with a Dickson toolpost and a couple holders. When I discovered the cost od Dickson holders I switched to an Asian copy of the Aloris.

I had read somewhere that to fit a qctp to the lathe you have to machine either the tool post or the top slide. I would prefer something which fits straight in. Machining the toolpost might be difficult if it's hardened and I'd rather not modify the slide in an irreversible way. I emailed ARC to ask if their qctp fits the warco wm280, but they have not tried on one, so they cannot say...Any ideas?

Edited By ChrisB on 11/05/2017 13:28:44

I modified the slide by reducing the boss at the bottom of the threaded stud to fit my existing slightly too small (Dickson) tool post. Did it using a boring head on the external dia in the mill.

You could ask someone like Chronos what size the counter bore in the bottom of their Boxford size dickson clone is and that is the bit that matters sizewise.

Edited By JasonB on 11/05/2017 13:33:59

I'm afraid I'll invalidate the warranty if I had to machine the boss off....is there a way to take the stud off the slide? I took the tool post off and it looks like the stud and boss are one part, but I can't take it off, for sure its not threaded in the slide as it won't budge. Maybe it's got a nut on the bottom side of the top slide?

If I could take it off I could then either machine a new stud of use the one which comes with the QCTP (like ARC's wedge type has)

Edited By ChrisB on 11/05/2017 13:50:38

Chris, have a look here to see my version of fitting a QCTP to a WM250 I turned down the boss but there may be other ways of doing it. Some people have just machined the boss off on the mill.

Edit: the stud is pressed in with a roll pin to prevent it turning, it is only a light press fit so can be easity pushed out. There is a picture on the above link (No 26 on the second page) just shows the stud not the getting it out which is in the text.

John

Edited By Journeyman on 11/05/2017 14:09:19

To remove the slid eyou undo the two cap head screws either side of the handwheel and slide it towards the headstock

The boss is part of the casting, the pin knocks out easily enough with a copper hammer, you can see where I have reduced the dia of the top of the boss.

Thanks John and Jason, that was very helpful...so I took off the top slide (the pics came handy) and tapped the stud out, but it's not exactly as in the last pic. It came off with the boss and all and left a large hole. It's like a three stepped stud.

Will get some pic to explain myself better

Edited By ChrisB on 11/05/2017 14:32:16

That sounds promising if all you have left is a hole and a flat top to the top-slide, sounds like all you need to do is make a new stud to fit both the top-slide and the tool-post that you choose

John

This is what it looks like. So I guess it should be relatively easy to fit the tool-post. Probably will go for this **LINK**

I think you might need the larger model 100 version, check centre heights and maximum tool size etc. I have the model 100 on my WM 250 and your lathe is a bit bigger than mine. Also consider not getting the set, not all the tool holders are useful. Better just to buy the post and a load of standard holders. Ketan might do you a deal!

John

I bought a Warco quick change tool post for my WM250 – and I’m very happy with it.

I posted a quick show and tell on my youtube channel – you might find it helpful.

David

Good thing you pointed that out John, I'll measure the current tool post and order accordingly. Isn't the WM250 the same size as the WM280 apart from the distance between centres?

Hehe! I could do with a deal...got a long shopping list ready!

It's been out of stock for quite some time.

Chris, the WM280 is just a bit bigger 5.5" centre height to the WM250's 5" (280mm swing -v- 250mm swing) as far as I know. Went to check on WARCO's site and it's down for maintenance!

John

ChrisB, the 000 toolpost will be a too small for a WM280. I have the 100 size on my 250 and also on my GH1330 (its a bit small but it means I can share toolholders between lathes) The 111 wedge model should be the right one for your lathe. If you go for it I would be interested to hear how well it performs in terms of clamping and repeatability, I was thinking of swapping my piston ones for the wedge type now that Ketan has them in that size.

Have a look at the multifix toolpost system, but you will still need to make a new stud

Journeyman is spot on. I have posted this more than once. I bought a 'set' and regretted it. I will never use the type of knurling tool, per eg (scissor type are far superior). The parting off tool may not be the right width, matetial or something. The boring bar tool may not be required with a sleeve or a V for the bar you already have. That said, if you have a mill, more tool holders are not that much of a problem....

My lathe is very similar to the WM290, an SPG 2129....( think I may 'ave mentioned it before.....)

I fitted the 100 style toolpost from Arc and made a new toolpost stud...a bit difficult to get measurements and make a new one at the same time on the same machine....

I went for the toolpost option without the added holders....I've since amassed a collection of holders for various tooling items, parting, boring, knurling (scissor type) and general turning....

Very happy.....

I think I'll go for the 111 type...it will be a while before I can report on it's performance tho, the machines are still on the floor pending fabrication of their benches. That's planned for this summer.

Ditto as Journeyman's comment; I have the WM250 & have fitted the Bison clone of the Dickson tool post & as mentioned I milled the boss off the compound slide casting & made a new stud to fit, I have a collection of tool holders ( 20 ) from various sources, some from India, Chinese versions, a couple with 'W' or 'M' whichever way you look at them, & so far all have fitted well. it all works fine for me so well worth changing to a QCTP.

​George.