QCTP for AL-33X

[Sterob]

The recent post about CDCO reminded me that I was going to buy a QCTP for my AL-335 soon.
Of course I know nothing about them, so I was wondering which one of the possible two options, that CDCO sell, did everyone purchase?

I am leaning towards the larger option, the 200 series, I think it is know by? ( 12" to 15"swing)
I have missed the magic exchange rate of recent times but it won''t matter.

Sterob

[Sterob]

I guess no-one has bought one for their AL-33x yet. No matter. I'll forge ahead.....

[Sterob]

I received my order from CDCO two days ago. It only took a few days.
I ended up getting the AXA QCTP and when I tried fitting my tools in the tool holders, they wouldn't fit.( 14mm gaps and 16mm tools.) bugger.
Does anyone know if you can get AXA tool holders fit 16mm tools?
Failing that will either have to machine down all my tools 2mm, machine the holders out 2mm, or buy a 12mm tool set and try to sell my 16mm set.

I have just finished machining the QCTP base to fit my top slide T-slot, which was pretty hard going, so I am not too keen on machining my tool holder or tools , so they fit each other.
The joys of not asking the right questions before you order stuff......

Sterob

[harty69]

Hi sterob

I have just received the bxa qctp form cdco I have a similar lathe to you and the 16mm bits fit in the holders quite neatly

I do have to machine one holder out only 1mm for a special tool
I have done a file test and they dont seem to be hardened
my plan to machine it out is to put a end mill in the lathe set the tool post to the right height to mill out 1mm and feed it in with the cross slide i will let you know how i go if you like

im not sure how much meat the axa tool holders have take 2mm off the top and 2mm off the bottom of the gap

cheers
Harty

[Big Shed]

:( Not good news Sterob, in your first post you said you were going for the BXA, what made you change your mind?

[Dave J]

Hi,
I have heard of some people using the AXA size on these lathes but most go for the BXA as there more suited in size as your finding out.
Maybe if it doesn't work out put it on ebay for the price it cost you plus postage, I am sure it will sell. There are a lot of people in Aus that wont send their money overseas and will only buy from Australia sellers.
Dave

[Sterob]

Hi sterob

I have just received the bxa qctp form cdco I have a similar lathe to you and the 16mm bits fit in the holders quite neatly

I do have to machine one holder out only 1mm for a special tool
I have done a file test and they dont seem to be hardened
my plan to machine it out is to put a end mill in the lathe set the tool post to the right height to mill out 1mm and feed it in with the cross slide i will let you know how i go if you like

im not sure how much meat the axa tool holders have take 2mm off the top and 2mm off the bottom of the gap

cheers
Harty

Hi Harty,
I have a Mill so I can use that. It was just the time that it will take. I may be worrying over nothing. Once its done, its done.....
The AXA tool holders don't have alot of spare material to machine off, so that make s me hesitant as well.....
Sterob

[Sterob]

:( Not good news Sterob, in your first post you said you were going for the BXA, what made you change your mind?

I wasn't really sure which one to get, and Frank recommended the AXA and I didn't notice the tool sizes on him web page. To be fair to Frank I didn't give him much to go on. My bad.
Sterob

[Sterob]

Hi,
I have heard of some people using the AXA size on these lathes but most go for the BXA as there more suited in size as your finding out.
Maybe if it doesn't work out put it on ebay for the price it cost you plus postage, I am sure it will sell. There are a lot of people in Aus that wont send their money overseas and will only buy from Australia sellers.
Dave


Hi Dave,
I actual bought a 12mm set when I bought the lathe as H&F told me it was 12mm took height. It turned out not to be and I changed it. Now I may have to go back to 12mm...doh.
I've fitted the Post today (machine the base to fit the T-Slot in the top slide), so that is all ok. I guess I could sell it, but I am impatient and I hate waiting to things....lol

Sterob

[harty69]

Hi Harty,
I have a Mill so I can use that. It was just the time that it will take. I may be worrying over nothing. Once its done, its done.....
The AXA tool holders don't have alot of spare material to machine off, so that make s me hesitant as well.....
Sterob
Hi Sterob

I have a mill as well but thought the lathe would be faster as it would be square to the tool post with little or no setting up
if your going to order a bxa tool post cdco special ends tonight
I have just made a holder for the toolholders (i orderd 10 of them) super simple and it works well just a peice of wood and some steel pins let me know if you want a pic

cheers
Harty

[markjaffa]

Sterob - did your AL335 come with a T-slot in the compound, or did you machine that yourself? The photos on H&F website show the toolpost fixed to the top of the compound slide on the 335. :?

I have an AL960B clone, and I am going to fit a Multifix style 40 position tool post to it. I could modify the existing lock bolt, or machine the compound to introduce a T-slot. I would be interested to know if you have done this and how it went.

If you did modify it, could you take some photos/measurements of the job?

Cheers :2tsup:

[Dave J]

Hi Mark,
I have never seen anyone modify the compound they always machine the T nut to suit their machine.
I like the style and the design of the 40 position tool post's, but what turned me off is it would be near impossible to make more holders at home unlike the other designs.
If you haven't bought it yet, there are some cheaper one's around and try to get a deal with extra holders if you can. I have 7 holders for my H&F QA150 and that is no where near enough.
Let us know how it works out and how rigid it is after you mount it.
Dave

[Sterob]

Sterob - did your AL335 come with a T-slot in the compound, or did you machine that yourself? The photos on H&F website show the toolpost fixed to the top of the compound slide on the 335. :?

I have an AL960B clone, and I am going to fit a Multifix style 40 position tool post to it. I could modify the existing lock bolt, or machine the compound to introduce a T-slot. I would be interested to know if you have done this and how it went.

If you did modify it, could you take some photos/measurements of the job?

Cheers :2tsup:

Hi Mark,
Yes, the AL-335 has a T-slot on top of the top slide. I just had to machine the base of the QCTP into a inverted T to fit the slot. It took me a couple of hours as I wanted a nice snug fit and it turned out very nice.

I ordered a 12mm tool set today. I will decide what to do with the 16mm tool set later on. I don't think I will have any trouble selling it.......

Sterob

[markjaffa]

Thanks to Dave and Sterob for their replies. :2tsup:

The reason I was entertaining the idea of putting a T-slot in my compound is I understood it to be a better mounting system - having looked at H&F catalogue online, most lathes have a clamp down tool post with a fixed bolt - not a T-slot mount. I might have gotten the wrong idea here - this mod can be shelved unless I come up with a need/reason.

The Multifix I have will bolt to my top slide with only a slight modification(reduced diameter) to the clamp bolt. I bought 6 extra tool holders with my toolpost kit - gives me a total of ten. Hopefully it will be enough for me - for now! :)