Arceurotrade toolpost

Hi all,

I think I quite fancy going for the arceurotrade Model 000 Quick Change Tool Post Set, which I’ve had my eye on for a while now, it’s £109, but you have to buy a kit to make it fit my Myford ml7.

the question is, has anyone fitted this to their Myford ml7 and if they have could you tell me what it’s like to use.

id like to know a bit more about it before shelling out the money just in case It doesn’t fit or if it’s not very good.

any info would be appreciated.

thanks

chris m…….

Hi I fitted one of these to my ML4 which has a 7/16 dia toolpost stud, all that was necessary was to bore the diameter of the centre of the toolpost to fit the slightly large stud. It is hard, but chinese hard! so even the weedy ML4 coped with a carbide tipped boring bar.This only require the removal of about 20 thou and seems to have had no effect on the improved rigidity and general ease of use over the original jack stud, shims and relying only on the stiffness of the stud to resist cutting forces.

I hope this is useful to you

regards Paul

I bought one of these from ArcEurotrade. In my experience this wedge type tool post is far superior to the Dixon type that came with my lathe.

With my old Dixon type toolpost, even after tightening everything up as far as I dare, the tool would invariably dip down slightly when cutting the work piece because of the amount of play between the tool holder and the tool post. I took my Dixon tool post and holders to a show and compared it to the ones on sale that were no better fit.

The wedge type tool post by its design takes up the slack between the tool holder and the tool post and now the tip of the tool does not budge when cutting the work piece.

As you say, you will need the adaptor. Please note that a tiny bit of facing off may be required to have the adaptor seat properly. This is not because the adaptor is faulty but, according to ArcEurotrade, there are slight variations in ML7 that need to be accommodated. It took me just a couple of minutes to measure and face off to the correct size.

The tool post is notably smaller than the Dixon type on the Myford but more than up to the job, even in my clumsy hands. My only regret is not getting it sooner.

The Dixon type tool posts are good IF made to a high standard, the imports are not so I would go for a wedge type.

Tony

Hi All,

Arceuro wedge type probably a lot cheaper than the Dickson type.

I purchased an el cheapo Dickson clone from a local ME supplier at Guildford club's open day many years ago. Unfortunately I didn't buy enough holders and several years later wanted more but said supplier discontinued them. They worked OK, happy with purchase and still using them. Here's the big but! Upon buying more holders elsewhere, new ones don't quite fit. Could never understand why until careful measurement revealed reason. Solution given by article in a recent copy of MEW, dismantle toolpost and shave a bit off the back of the puller that grips the toolholder. An easier solution for others; buy a complete system from one of the better suppliers and get plenty of holders at the same time.

Chris M,

I have purchased dozens of items from Arc over the years and all orders found to be satisfactory and arrive quickly, so no worries there. Most of the ME/MEW advertisers have been found to be quick and supply reliable goods

John

The reason I'd buy a dovetail QCTP instead of a Dickson is that the holders are far easier to make. I probably wouldn't bother making standard ones, but there are a number of specific tools I'd like that would benefit from being built into a holder rather than attached to one.

This slotting/engraving tool for example:

Much better to ask yourself this question: 'Why exactly do I need a QCTP in my workshop, doing the sort of work I do'

A very bad answer would be: 'Don't know, but other people are pleased with them.'

A good answer would be: 'I understand the pros and cons of a QCTP and know the type of work I do will be facilitated by fitting one because [list of reasons]. ' There will be a clear idea of how many holders are needed: 2,4,6,8,10 or more. Not knowing how many holders are needed suggests a rethink is in order!

Different rules apply in 'for fun' rather than 'for production' workshops. If the workshop is for fun (which includes self-education), it's entirely respectable to tool-up whimsically and to accessorize however the fancy takes you. The main objection is cost, and it's not appropriate to learners on a tight budget!

While both approaches to Model Engineering are valid, I suggest it pays to think about which class one is in before rushing to spend money. If cash is short, it's definitely better to approach purchasing carefully which requires experience and understanding to be developed first.

That said, buying a QCTP (with sufficient holders), won't be a disaster. It's just that the money could have been spent on something more useful like a DRO. I'd say a 4-jaw chuck, micrometer, dial indicator and stand, digital caliper, and grinder are all far more important than a QCTP. The most useful tool in my workshop is a bandsaw: because sawing metal by hand is a boring, sweaty time-waster. My saw saves more time than a QCTP ever would!

For what it's worth, I decided not to fit a QCTP to my lathe immediately because - although it seemed a good idea - I didn't know if it would help me do what I expected to do. 8 years later I'm still happily using a 4-way tool-post, and it's crystal clear a QCTP is unnecessary in my workshop. My experience doesn't damn all QCTPs to perdition though, because many others benefit from them: the value of a QCTP depends on the type of work done by the owner. Only Chris can explain that!

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 26/08/2022 10:37:29

I have more or less said the same things as Dave on several occasions, but beginners seem to ignore such advice.

When I was a beginner I purchased a very expensive QCTP including a goodly number of holders. BIG MISTAKE! The cash would have been much better spent on a dozen or more items that I really needed!!

I do use the QCTP and although it is a very well designed item, it is NOT as rigid as a 4 way toolpost. Get yourself a good (much cheaper) 4 way tool post and don't make the same mistake as me!

Andrew.

P.S. It seems as if QCTPs are a fashion item for beginners!

Having owned a lathe for about 40 years, I soon graduated from the Myford clamp arrangement, to a four way toolpost, and then made a rear one for the ML7. On the larger successor, stayed with the four way supplied, and then made a four way rear toolpost.

This allows me to have six tools available. Normally, Carbide rougher, Carbide boring bar, Tangential turning tool, in the front post; Front Chamfer, Parting Tool, Back Chamfer, in the rear post.

The rear post was made specifically to take the rather large Parting Tool that I had been given when I bought the ML7. The blade still has a lot of life left in it!.

If any other tool, (usually knurling, or radius turning ) one of the "normal" tools has to come out, temporarily, most often the Boring Bar..

But I have no need to save a few seconds, on each operation, since piece work is not part of my pension.

QCTP came about to save time in industry where time is money.

They have the advantage of keeping a tool, once set, at centre height

From what I read, it seems that a lot of QCTP s require some modification to either the QCTP or to the Cross Slide to enable their fitment.

Although I could afford them, I lack the space to store about ten holders, and survived for a LONG time, quite happily with my set up.

But each to their own. If that's what you want, go ahead and buy one, but make sure that it will fit, or can adapted easily be modified to fit to your lathe..

Your lathe already has a four way post, so, as beginner, there must be more important things to learn to use than another toolpost..

Beware of having all the gear, but no idea of how to use it! I have fallen into the trap, thankfully not often, of buying something because it seemed a good idea at the time. (Tailstock capstan, and Tilting Table fall into that category! )

NOTE. Shims to adjust tool height can be made by cutting up tins, such as Sardine or Biscuit tins. They are usually 0.010" thick material. )

Howard

Edited By Howard Lewis on 26/08/2022 11:27:45

Your lathe already has a four way post, so, as beginner, there must be more important things to learn to use than another toolpost..

Very true, Howard. I get the distinct impression that this poster has likely not yet succeeded in achieving reliable good finishes on turned items, yet.

I can imagine that not only ‘how do I fit it?’ but then how to sort out difficulties with turning to achieve good finishes finishes.

In my book good surface finishes are produced by having a correctly ground tool set at centre height, and with a fine feed rate.

These are things that have to learned at the bottom of the learning curve.

They were for me, in my first few weeks as an Apprentice!

I was fortunate in that EVERYONE, no matter what Grade of Apprenticeship you were on, you spent the first year in the Training School, to learn the basics..

Howard

I think many a beginner buys a QCTP as the screw height adjustment may help them with setting tool height. Not for quick changes or ability to swap tools and have them go back in the same place

I added to my collection of holders over the years managing with just the supplied set of for for a long time.

Don't know how rigid people want them but my Dickson is a Myford sized one and I can take 1/4" DOC (1/2" off dia"  ) with mine. The supplied 4-jaw only comes out if I need to hold large tooling that won't fit the Dickson.

Edited By JasonB on 26/08/2022 13:12:20

My QCTP set up can take very big cuts if need be. However the set up is not as rigid as the 4 way. Taking deep cuts with both set ups, shows this quite clearly.

Andrew.

Hi Chris. In response to your specific question, yes I have fitted this system to my Myford. It works very well indeed.

There was a minor tweak required to remove, if I remember correctly, some material from the foot of the tool post supplied with the kit to allow it to fit in the recess in the base of the compound slide.

Arc Euro holds stock of the appropriate tool holders. This has been important to me as I have added tooling which required additional holders.

No connection with anyone, just a satisfied user.

Peter.

Chris, If you talk to Arc,I think you will find that they do not reccomend enlarging the bore of the oo qctp

they supply. regards, Lynne

Based on what Lynne says, you might find yourself needing to make up a stepped stud, (With a close tolerance lower end ) before removing the Top Slide to remove the original one, to fit he new smaller diameter one.

And you might find yourself having to reset the gibs.

At present, you might find that it would cause you more trouble than enough.

It ain't broke so don't fix it is my advice.

Get a pair of tin snips and spend some time cutting up biscuit or sardine tins to make shims to set tools on centre height.

Sorry to do you out of the business, Ketan!

Howard

Isn't that why ARC supply the new stud, so you don't have to make one. I think John Stevenson worked out the sizes required so it should be upto the job.

Arc also do a video of fitting to a Myford. Making your own stud should not be a problem .

I have used both the 4way tool post and arc tool posts and I would not go back to the 4way with its tools poking out to cut you, finding bits of tin to cut up etc.

Having to reset when the tool is reground, but everyone to his own.

My friend has the Myford QCTP on his ML7. The best part, is that we can share holders or tools of need be.