Qick change tool post. 12inch lathe

[brendanh]

finaly got my lathe sorted out abd been playing around with it. Now i want a qctp for it. Ive done a bit of searching and want opinions on which would be better. The axa or bxa. Ive been recomended the bxa because it holds larger tools. But would it be big? Perhaps get in the way of the swing and/or tailstock?

Thanks

[Michael G]

If you go to the Aloris website and down load their catalogue http://www.aloris.com/aloris-catalog/ there is usually a diagram in there that tells you how to size a QCTP. If there is a choice I'd go bigger but if you chose a larger size than will properly fit you may have to do some creative work with an angle grinder to trim the holders down as the sizes are chosen to get the tool on centre height.

Michael

[.RC.]

I would go the BXA... The AXA is more for Hercus 10" sized lathes...

You will need about 25 holders as well :D

[brendanh]

I would go the BXA... The AXA is more for Hercus 10" sized lathes...

You will need about 25 holders as well :D

is 25 going to be enough? haha

[pipeclay]

Measure the size of your current tool post and compare it to the dimensions on the Aloris web site.

You should not have any problem with the tool post intruding into your work envelope,the tool holders may reduce the diameter of what you can swing but I doubt it if everything is set up to maximise the work envelope.

[brendanh]

seems the bxa is almost exactly the same as the original tool post.

[pipeclay]

That should eliminate any concerns,and there will be plenty of tool height adjustment to use 12mm tooling rather than 16mm if you wish.

[brendanh]

yeah thanks for that. for some reason i picture the bxa being bigger then it is and my tool post being smaller then it really is.

[cba_melbourne]

yeah thanks for that. for some reason i picture the bxa being bigger then it is and my tool post being smaller then it really is.

The optimal size toolpost choice does not depend on lathe swing alone.

It also matters what type of lathe your 12" lathe is (hobby lathe, light industrial or heavy duty industrial).
It also matters what you mostly want to do with your 12" lathe. If mostly roughing and large jobs, you may consider the BXA. If mostly smaller work or/and precision work the AXA is probably far better.

The Aloris catalog lists lathes from 8 to 12" swing suitable for their AXA toolpost, and 13 to 16" swing suitable for their BXA toolpost:
(http://www.aloris.com/aloris_cat/index.html#page/30)
Now, a 16" lathe is MUCH heavier than a 12" lathe! Unless your 12" is a very heavy duty industrial model, and your usage is biassed towards heavy roughing and large workpieces, you may not want a BXA toolpost.

I have the AXA size on my Hercus 260 10" lathe, and I think its over sized. But I do mostly smaller jobs, probably 80% of what I do fits over the cross slide. And the large AXA toolpost is sometimes in the line of sight for things like accurate boring jobs. I also think that the AXA troopost size is actually overkill for the 3/4HP power that my lathe has. Overall, I would wish I went one size smaller with the toolpost. But.... the AXA toolpost and toolholders are very common, easy to source and (if we are talking clones and not genuine US made) very low priced. If I look at a set of toolpost and 25 toolholders, it is difficult to beat that overall price in any other size or brand of redy-made items. Even making your own costs more in materials alone.

This is a link to the Dorian Toolpost catalog. Dorian Toolposts are compatible with Aloris Toolpost, they take the same Toolholders. But instead of talking of AXA, BXA, CXA size Dorian talks about size 25, 30, 35 etc. Its all the same. On page 8 you find a nice template, you can hold toolholders against it to compare the sizes. It may help you to make up your mind: http://www.doriantool.com/wp-content/uploads/dorian_tool_lathe_accessories_catalog.pdf
If I was to buy an US made toolpost today.... it could well be a Dorian.

[texx]

seems the bxa is almost exactly the same as the original tool post.

not once it has a tool holder hanging off the side of it .

johno

[brendanh]

not once it has a tool holder hanging off the side of it .

johno

good point, but this wouldn't add much much in the way to reduce the swing?