Thread: Best Way To Modify Quick Change Tool Post

Hi
I think that tool post is for the mini lathes ,I have a QA150 on mine also 178mm centre height and it is 13.5 mm from the compound up to the bottom of the tool holder adjusts up to 35mm from the compound at it's highest add to this your tool height I use 16mm that makes a centre height of 29.5mm to 51mm.I would not go off the dimentions advertised as I think there out.I also think these tool post are more accurate than the others (they call these Dickson style) as they have 2 V ways with a piston that pulls the tool holder onto the 2 V's.You can make up a hex nut to mount the quick change tool post to match the locking nuts then you only have one spanner and are able to remove the spanner, handle all together.If you are after the other style you can buy larger ones direct from America there is a forum some where that I read they have had good results they are only about $120.00 us set with 5 holders and extra tool holders can be had for $10.00 on special.Hope this helps out

Dave J

I'd just turn up a fat washer and put it between the toolpost and the topslide. Job done

Dave - I think he's talking way bigger than the mini-lathe stuff. Either that or I've go some wires crossed.

When I bought mine they said the QA-140 was for the smaller lathe's, remember the
dimensions on it are to the outside of the dovetails so it makes it a small toolpost and the L294 H&F code. A model " BR BP " is to big.I think the one he needs is the QA150 code L295 if he wants the other style he will need to look elswhere as Hare and forbes does not have them any bigger than the QA-140 .
Dave

I see. As far as I can tell the QA-140 is what is more commonly known as a BXA size toolpost. What is small depends on your perspective. Retromilling says his lathe is 14" swing. CDCO machinery lists BXA as suitable for 10"-15" swing lathes. I'd consider putting an AXA on a 14", but I'm in favour of small tool posts more than the average punter. Small toolposts don't get in the way when turning between centres and in my experience they don't compromise rigidity significantly. There's no way I'd put a BXA on a typical 12" let alone a 10".

Regards
Steve

Thanks Dave and blackfrancis all good ideas.
If the QA 150 will go to 51 mm from compound to center height then it would be ok.
The H&F specs says the Q A -150 will only go to 41 mm above the compound surface.
I went to H&F some time back and they said they did not have one to fit.
In light of this new information I will go back and ask to see a QA-150 fitted to the display lathe and go from there.

QA-150 should suit your centre height.
If they have stock they should be able to get one out with some tooling and a centre and sit it on the lathe to check your centre height, provided the same machine as you have is in the showroom at hare and forbes.
You may have to rework it slightly to make it fit, possibly bushing or something to adapt it to the machines existing components (namely the shaft that runs up the centre of the toolpost) but you should be able to make it fit without too much hassle.

Retromilling - I had a closer look at the specs

First things first, the QA150 and the QA140 are the same in terms of height range.

You say you have 44.2mm from the surface of the topslide to the centre height. With either of these toolposts the distance from the bottom surface the tool sits on in the block to the centre height will range from 9.2mm to 24.2mm. This sounds like a real nice fit. If you prefer the piston type go the QA140 which is cheaper.

They make a more modern variation on these piston type toolposts called the wedge type. They have a positive location so if you take the tool block out and put it back it will reposition more acurately. You can import these from the US at good prices. Check out the bottom of this page (from a place GregoryQ mentioned in another thread earlier) http://www.tools4cheap.net/products.php?cat=9. I think BXA is the same size as the QA140 but you should check, I could be wrong.

Cheers
Steve

Blackfrancis
From what I have been told and read the QA-140 is the same as a AXA 100 which is why I suggested a larger one BXA 200 ,also the AL 1000c is a 356mm x 1000mm (14 inch) lathe. You can not go of the spec's they are wrong, for mine at lest the QA150 .
Retromilling
I would do that I am sure one of them will fit,see Brendon on the counter if you can he knows what he's talking about if not ask for Matt he is the Manager .
Dave J

I see Dave. I didn't realise the specs were wrong, sorry about that.

Thanks every one for your replies. I will go down and see H&F and get them to put one on a display lathe . Will let you know how I go later on.

How did you go with the QC tool post ? While speeking to Matt Hare yesterday about another matter I told him your situation about being told they did not have one to suit the AL 1000c, he said that the QA150 would fit and was not sure why you were told that.Dave

I don't know why I was told that either but I have not seen the sales person since so they may not work for H&F anymore.
I have not had a chance to get down to Sydney yet and my tooling money is being eaten up by electricians bills. So it may take quite a while before I can get a QC post at the rate I am going .
You can also tell Matt Hare that I am very unhappy with the condition that my lathe was in out of the crate. It appeared to have been used and had lots of very loose parts on it.
Oil leaks , rusty parts , motor loose and appeared to have been changed.
Top slide gibbs not in properly and metal shavings inside .
It looked as though it was put together from a lot of faulty swapped parts.
Cracked lever handles full of black grease in the cracks?? How does that happen to a new lathe???

maybe it was the ex display machine, just a thought.

Retomilling you will need to contact him your self as it is no good it coming from me as I did not buy the lathe and don't even know you real name, or when you bought it etc. I have found and also read on other forums that his customer service to be good, give them a call and ask to speak to Matt and go from there.I would do that ASAP.Dave