Tool Height

Im new to lathe work and Ive been using a set of valve adjustment shims and hacksaw blades to set the tool height but its a bit fiddly and rigidity is a bit suspect ( the less said about the saw teeth pinging around the workshop the better).

Could anyone tell me what your suposed to use, parrallels?

David I always use old hacksaaw blades but grind the teeth off first then a bit of shim ( drinks can ) to get the height

Roy

There are relatively expensive toolholder systems around which take a lot of the hassle out of the shimming system

The easiest solution if you've got a decent lathe is a rear toolpost with an upside down tool

Set it once, forget about it forever, slide in anything from 1/8 to 1inch and it's instantly on centre height

Great for roughing down to size, then you only need to use the fiddly front toolpost system for your final finishing cuts

I use old transformer laminations, bits of tin cans, and some strips of 3 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm hot rolled steel. Just keep the packing with each tool. If you make your own tool holders, no packing needed. Ian S C

David,

Had a good laugh re your hacksaw teeth doing the rounds 

What on earth made them do that?

A Quick Change (QC) Toolpost if you can either afford or make one, will solve the never ending problem of packing.

JS has drawings for a DIY set that's been made by many, and you can be sure his designs work.

Until you use one, you don't know what you are missing

Could never go back willingly to a 'normal' toolpost again.

When I made the necessary bits to fit the QC to my BH600G, I had to fiddle/search for packing to use with the supplied 4-way Toolpost.

All I can say is - "heaven using a QC"

Geoff - Enough posts for today

Edited By OuBallie on 17/09/2013 11:50:38

Hi David,

A QC toolpost was one of the first accessories I bought for my mini-lathe and has been one of the most useful. If you can get hold of any of the steel banding that is used to secure packing crates it can be cut up into small strips that are handy for packing up tool heights.

Gary

Superglue the pack of shims if you like and keep the pack associated with it's tool with a rubber band.
It can be a bit fiddly trying to set it actually on the lathe. After setting one tool carefully take it off with packing and on a separate flat plate establish a new height guage whether as a scratch on a bit of brass or a fancy electronic tool setter. Then you can do your packing selection in a more convenient spot.

The trouble with QCTPs is the cost and never having enough holders. Pretty soon you are swapping tools or

Yes, made one to his design years ago - dead easy to set the tool height. Only problem is I never seem to have enough holders. Note to self: Must order some 1 1/4 x 1 1/2 bar and make some more.

Russell.

Hi All

For packing I use steel bailing strip It comes in various widths. I got mine free from a bin outside a building site. (It is often used to tie timber and bricks into bundles), It is thinner than a hacksaw blade and quite flat. Cut the strip into the correct length with tin snips then lightly grind the ends and touch off the sharp corners. the black finish protects it from rusting I keep a separate stack for each tool. I also keep a few thinner feeler stock strips if the tool has to be set exactly on centre. My lathe has a good quality index able 4 way tool post with accurate positions. It works well for me.

Regards

John

Hi David & Guys
I use bailing strips as well . I have a 4 way toolpost as John as on my S7 Mk 1 and have most tools set ready to go
Roughing tool . finising tool 45 degree shampther tool whit tool . The parting tool is on the backtool post when setting them I have a gauge set to centre from the lathe bed .
Nobby

Ha! The banding off the crate, why didnt I think of that?

Great idea sticking them together though, think ill make up a few and knock up some pigeon holes on the shelf.

Thanks all

David

I used banding strips & tin can strips when I got my previous machine with a 4 way tool post... soon got a QC tool post set... as with Bazyle, wouldn't use anything else now, still considering getting more & I have 18 now... initially expensive but … we’re worth it… Hmmmmmm, where have I heard that before?

Cheers

George

Edited By mechman48 on 17/09/2013 16:39:28

18 you could buy a whole lathe for that.

There is a type of flip up tool holder similar to this but with a fixed base and a slotted holder that uses a screw under the tool block to adjust the height. Can't find a picture but it is much easier to make than a QCTP and the flip out to the way function is very useful.

Hi David,

as others have said, buy or make a Quick Change Toolpost with several toolholders. First I made this one, it is easy to make and you don't need a milling machine.

After I got a milling machine I made this, a bit more work but it has worked well for years. I still use it.

Thor

Hi David

Have you considered a tangetial toolholder, made or bought. The Michael Cox design is quite nifty. I made one for a cnc turret I built so I didn't have to mess about with shims. I think Rik Shaw made a modified one with a stronger clamp. To set the height you just move the tool bit up or down to the desired height.

Cheers Michael

When I was looking at buying a new lathe I was thinking there was no need for a quick change tool holder but it didnt take long before I realised there are things I would much rather be doing than fiddling around with shims.

Anyhoo, thanks for everyones help

I know all this has been done before but new people keep coming along!. I have no problem using shim, any old shim, end up with a tin full after a year. Stick the main shim to the tool and use a thin shim if needed after sharpening. I looked at QCT's but decided to just buy another 4way toolholder, covers 90% of needs, and I'm sure is more rigid.

Yes, the four way is more rigid having less overhang. For me the biggest advantage of the QTP is the repeatablity of the tool position ( in all axes). When I need more rigidity I change to a clamp for a single tool.

Russell.

I have a genuine Dickson T2 toolpost and holders sitting on the shelf. I was going to fit it, but had two doubts. First, my 4 way toolpost sits on a serrated disc which makes it easy to consistently set the toolpost at selected angles, every 10° or 15° I think. Second, I was concerned about rigidity. It's quite a lot of work to fit the QC toolpost, and if it's not as rigid that's a bit of a downer. I reckon that six tools, all inserts, covers more than 90% of my turning, so it's not difficult to keep shims with each tool. The only caveat is, that as discussed in another thread, I should probably be taking a bit more care on setting tool heights. For the moment I think I'll be sticking with my conventional 4 way toolpost.

On another tack, it is often mentioned that the old way of doing things manually is the only way to get satisfaction. And since we're not in industry the extra time taken is not important. But, on the other hand many people swear by QC toolposts as it saves time, just like in industry. Bit of a logical inconsistency here?

Regards,

Andrew