Making BXA QCTP holders

[Ueee]

Hi all,
Its been on the cards for a while but i've finally got to making some QCTP holders. The main reason i wanted to make some, other than simply for the fun of it, was to make some specially to hold certain tools.
I took these pics some time back to show BT the problems with the off the shelf parting blade holders mounted in standard tool holders. The overhang they create is rather large and not so good on our little lathes. A new holder was high on my list.

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I had a 270mm square plate, 30mm thick, so i cut it into 3 strips, which would give me 18 holders in all, enough for me it think, but certainly not the monster effort Dave put in!
The plate was faced and edged, dovetail roughed out on the mill and shaper, and then finished to size on the mill. I was aiming to do the dovetails entirely on the shaper but she is just not accurate enough.....yet.

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The blocks were then cut of, once again with help from the RC BS clamp, and their top and bottom faces milled whilst being held on the toolpost bolted to the mill, to ensure the top and bottom were square to the dovetail. De burring etc was done and i now had a mini army of blocks ready to march.....

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Anyway, today i set to and made the parting tool holder, and started the machining on left and right tool holders. Pretty simple really, dovetail, slot for clamping, clamping screws and height adjustment stud. I had a spare knurled disk already so i used it and a bit of M8 all thread for the height adjuster. Just need to wait for some more tips to turn up to try it out.....

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Of course, video to come once Stephen has finished with it...(including some reciprocating therapy:D)

Cheers,
Ew

[rodweb]

Nice, I gotta get me some steel so I can have a go at this too. :2tsup:

[Anorak Bob]

Very impressive:2tsup: and you've done the job Ew, you've made me feel suitably guilty that I've done nothing. I didn't realise we had the same Iscar holders.
Any idea of what steel you have used? I might slide out to Bohler tomorrow for a bit of shopping.

BT

[welder]

Looks good Ueee I really like that parting tool holder:2tsup: One problem I want a qctp and Iscar parting tool for my now :C

[Michael G]

Seeing the photo of the finished article reminds me that for some time I've wondered whether a HSS parting tool (well supported) could be used for cutting threads. That overhang at the bottom of the holder might be the way...

Michael

[Anorak Bob]

Ew,

One of my holders accommodates W20 collets. It has proven real handy for holding small round boring bars which would otherwise require a lot of packing to achieve centre height. Forgetting about the W20s, a holder for a parallel, round shanked ER chuck could be a worthy inclusion amongst the holders.

BT

http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachments/f65/218263d1344075538t-more-swiss-stuff-some-tool-holders-021-large-.jpg

[Dave J]

That came up good, I bet your glad there finished.

Dave

[bob ward]

The all-in-one holder/parting tool holder is a good idea. I've always thought the standard item with the parting tool hanging way out to the side was a poor design, not that mine has caused me any problems.

I'm thinking that something along the same lines would be useful for using HSS with a QCTP.

[Ueee]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Bob, the steel came from the place i bought the Queen from. It machines like standard hot rolled, my guess is its just plain mild. A holder for the collet chuck could be handy, but i was going to go one step further and make a MT holder or 2. Not in this lot though, the steel was not nearly thick enough. Need to go to 50x50 or maybe even round bar......

Michael, the first time the bottom of the toolholder gets in the way i know whats going to happen to it.....As the blade sits for the pic i should get most of the way through a 50mm bar.

Dave, It really wasn't too bad, i've been going on and off with them for a week or 2, and starting with only three pieces made it much easier than setting up 18 individually would have been. I don't know how you put up using the "soggy noodle" (HM50), it would have been a lot slower with just it. That plus i have the mills side by side, i was machining the tool slots on Mlle this arvo and drilling for the grub screws on the 50 at the same time. None of this stand back and watch stuff.....

Cheers
Ew

[harty69]

i was machining the tool slots on Mlle this arvo and drilling for the grub screws on the 50 at the same time. None of this stand back and watch stuff.....

Cheers
Ew

Hi Ueee

wait till you get the what sounds different all of a sudden moment followed by the oohh *&%^ moment :D

been there done that

cheers
Harty

[Dave J]

Hi Ueee,
I never had any problems with the HM52 machining them or anything else for that matter, I hogged out and faced with carbide and then used HSS to finish the V's. My mill stays put once set up and is rigid enough for it's size, maybe you have problems with the ways or locks, or have you checked the mating faces of the top of the column and head etc?
Saying that I would not want to be making them on a bench top mill or similar less rigid machine, it would take a long time.

Overall I am happy with the HM52, though I have done heaps of mods to improve it over the years. Pipeclay bought one last year and he seems happy with his as well.
As they say with Chinese machines, they are a type of kit that give you the basics, then you work on it from there.

Dave

[Ueee]

Hi Ueee

wait till you get the what sounds different all of a sudden moment followed by the oohh *&%^ moment :D

been there done that

cheers
Harty

Hehe...
When i was machining the dovetails I stepped away from the mill to check a dimension. About 3 steps away from the mill there was a horrendously loud noise that made me jump 10 feet and nearly soil myself. It was just the air compressor cutting in at a very bad time.

Cheers,
Ew

[simonl]

Nice job Ueee. You're another one who makes things really quick AND makes it looks incredibly easy!

WRT strange noises, sometimes my kids sneak up on me (not intending to but I'm in intense concentration) or kick the footy on the roof of the shed right at a time when I'm doing something on the mill or lathe. Usually takes half an hour to get my heart rate back to normal!
I could not walk away from my mill or lathe with it doing work. I'm just not that good or confident. I'd be worried it may turn on itself and start machining bits off itself and turn into a lathe zombie:o

My shed is always quiet, I have a radio and MP3 player but never use it because I love the quiet. Even my wife comes in and says how nice and peaceful it is in there......... then tries to engage in meaningful conversation with me:((

Anyway, good work and I'm glad I'm not the only one who jumps at sudden unexpected noises!

Simon

[Oldneweng]

Hmm. I have SWMBO programmed to warn me if she is coming into the shed. Yes Dear another coffee would be lovely thankyou.

Dean

[Ueee]

I'm getting used to having the kids around when i'm doing stuff. I think i've said it before but its a bit of work, then kid time, more work, kid time etc......being a part time stay at home dad is soooooo hard:D. Both slept at the same time this arvo.....rare, but geez i got a lot done.

I have the holders mostly done now, just the height adjustment nuts to make.
Simon, i might make it look easy, but i went through 3 cutters on these. A dovetail (yep that was my fault) a 12mm rippa (just broke off mid cut, no funny business, hard spot or anything) and a 16mm endmill (same as the rippa, but i was only widening a 15mm wide roughed cut....). I'm starting to wonder whether these CTC cutters are really worth it. I have only bought HSS M2AL from them, but nowhere is the M2 bit mentioned on the boxes or shanks.....:~

Anyway, pics of the lineup..... Stephen tells me he wants all the footage before he finishes editing the vid. Lazy bugger:q

Cheers,
Ew

[Ueee]

Hi Ueee,
I never had any problems with the HM52 machining them or anything else for that matter, I hogged out and faced with carbide and then used HSS to finish the V's. My mill stays put once set up and is rigid enough for it's size, maybe you have problems with the ways or locks, or have you checked the mating faces of the top of the column and head etc?
Saying that I would not want to be making them on a bench top mill or similar less rigid machine, it would take a long time.

Overall I am happy with the HM52, though I have done heaps of mods to improve it over the years. Pipeclay bought one last year and he seems happy with his as well.
As they say with Chinese machines, they are a type of kit that give you the basics, then you work on it from there.

Dave

Hi Dave,
I missed your post somehow, just saw it now.
I used to think the same thing, the HM50 did a good job etc.......but really when you put it up against a machine 3 times the weight and power you soon see its problems. The vernier can remove 3 times as much material and leave a better finish and do it faster. I'm not sure how my HM50 compares to the others out there, maybe it really is on the poor end of the scale. Have you used a bigger machine that you can compare to? The worst thing is even with all the work i had to do to the Vernier it still cost me half the price of the HM50:no:.

Cheers
Ew

[j.ashburn]

A nice job of these holders Ewan.Just wondering what the dimension of the dove tail is? got a supply of raw material here to make some and try and get some uniformity into my m/c tool family.Think is the best option by a basic kit? Aloris? or what are others using.Open to all ideas and advice.All the old dina sours here have basic set ups Most modern being 4 ways never been better to get 2 though:D Thanks in advance John.