Which Qctp for mini lathe?

I've been looking at QCTP's for the mini lathe. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Dixon style myford sized T37 or the wedge type 250-000. I was just wondering which one you guys think is the better choice?

I bought the T37 type 10 years ago from Chronos. It was called a Soba MX90 and works very well. I dont know if the parting blade will be the same type as I have, but it is excellent. It is the type with an inverted V on top and does not need top grinding. In fact today I was trying to find where to buy another one of the blades to make a parting tool for my Warco 600G

I have a Dixon clone on my Boxford which I've been happy with. I was wondering if there is any obvious disadvantages with either type when used on a mini lathe. Max tool shank size for example. Obviously I want maximum rigidety on such a small lathe.

For what it's worth, I've had both on my lathe - a 9 x 20 Asian import - at one time or another and I much prefer the wedge type. The Dixon holders were awkward to make and the quality of purchased ones varied from one supplier to another. I bought an 000 size wedgie from Arc Eurotrade several years ago and have been very pleased with it. No connection apart from customer satisfaction, etc.

John

Initially I had one of each type, and then settled on the Dickson type for all 3 lathes. I have since sold the wedge type . The wedge one was easier to make holders for, but was not as consistent for me as the dickson holder.

I have used a 000 on my SC3 since I got it three years ago, made further tool holders in various styles to suit tools and dti. All good and still clamps ok.

What's the maximum tool size you can get away with on the SC3?

Funnily enough my 'lathework' artricle for MEW 282 covers toolposts - I've held of until some custom 100 holders for the SC4 became available.

8mm 5/16" in the standard toolpost, 10mm 3/8" in the 000, but that's a bit wide for the holders and I would think it's a bit pointless to use 10mm tooling on a mini-lathe.

Personally I think the 000 is a great match for the mini-lathe and very similar size to the one I made myself.

Neil

I use one of these and the Chinese knock off is available just about everywhere .

I'm wondering about these for when I buy my lathe. Isn't the Chinese knock off one made of alloy though? I have been watching "Ades Workshop" on YouTube and he makes his own for his WM180, so I'm guessing that could be a little project.

The one usually sold on ebay as a set for around £40 is alloy. The one sold by Arc euro and chronos for around £90 is steel.

Thanks Hollowpoint! That sounds promising... should I need one.

The A2Z is all alloy and i have had no probs

No, very steel.

And they are hardly 'knock offs' of the A2z - the clamping wedge mechanism is very different and was patented in South Korea, not the USA:

patents.google.com/patent/KR920000020B1

The original patent for piston and dovetail QCTPs:

patents.google.com/patent/US3572195

I use the A2Z post + the Chinese copy both made of aluminium on my Sherline lathe. A2Z are no longer made, i got my Chinese copy from Banggood for £27 with 4 tool holders & postage was quite quick as they are sent priority mail. They are not bad for small lathes up to a mini lathe i would say. But may be a bit light weight on a WM180 lathe & upwards, you may be ok on a WM180 with it providing you are more gentle with use on the lathe. Extra holders are also under £5 a go.

I use a 'Bison' clone on my WM 250V-F the details on it are … Bison 4414 48 x 37, although it measures up at 60 x 60 x 37.

George.

I've got an original A2Z alloy tool post on my Emco Compact-8. It replaced a *really* badly made steel one.

When I put the A2Z one on, it was noticeably weaker; more chatter on my "normal" depth of cut.

However, it works well, and I do lots of smaller parts, so it has stayed on the lathe since.

I'd rather try the steel "000" size, but can't be bothered to source one - the A2Z one is ok for me, but might not be for others.

I won't be getting the alloy one, I'm hoping to do some parting off. I would probably be making life difficult for myself. I'm kinda leaning towards the Dixon clone. It has a few features I prefer and it's a bit cheaper which is always a bonus. 

Edited By Hollowpoint on 31/05/2019 20:29:58

The cross slide and its mounting system are fairly flimsy and flex a lot under heavy load so if something is going to break i would rather it to be the toolpost or holder . There is an old saying here in Australia - there is no use building a brick sh*thouse on a bark canoe !

I have a set from the chap who made them for the old Myford Company. I always thought that they were excellent, until I started doing more hefty work. There seemed to be more movement in the tool than I was used to. I reverted to the old Myford standard tool holder and this was better, if not really perfect. I borrowed a Tubal Cain Gibralter toolpost and was stunned at the difference A solid toolholder at last, that didn't move under heavy loads.

Now QCT holders have their place and are very useful, but they do have some stiffness problems. Just something to be aware of.

Andrew.