Thread: Quick change tool post, advice please

Originally Posted by 40mm

Thats some good advice mate, I have a bunch of HSS and carbide already.
Ill have a go at grinding as I want to learn, and Ive already got a lot of experience grinding chisels and plane blades etc. But thanks for the advice!
SO.... are you telling me you have a surplus of tool holders and need to sell them???

Unfortunately not, I sold all of them with the lathe to someone on the forum. Was a great deal for them.
I'm now running a 1100kg precision lathe and have a multi-fix QCTP. The multi-fix is handy for how I work, but I would not recommend it to most simply because of the price.

A good bit of advice for HSS and small lathes, is grind them to the rake and clearance angles for aluminium, and use them to cut steel. Works fantastically on low rigidity lathes and long slender parts. Same can be said for buying aluminium carbide inserts rather than steel. Most steel inserts need to be pushed reasonably hard before they will achieve anything resembling a decent finish.

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

Unfortunately not, I sold all of them with the lathe to someone on the forum. Was a great deal for them.
I'm now running a 1100kg precision lathe and have a multi-fix QCTP. The multi-fix is handy for how I work, but I would not recommend it to most simply because of the price.

A good bit of advice for HSS and small lathes, is grind them to the rake and clearance angles for aluminium, and use them to cut steel. Works fantastically on low rigidity lathes and long slender parts. Same can be said for buying aluminium carbide inserts rather than steel. Most steel inserts need to be pushed reasonably hard before they will achieve anything resembling a decent finish.

Thanks.
Hows that new workshop going?

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

Unfortunately not, I sold all of them with the lathe to someone on the forum. Was a great deal for them.
I'm now running a 1100kg precision lathe and have a multi-fix QCTP. The multi-fix is handy for how I work, but I would not recommend it to most simply because of the price.

A good bit of advice for HSS and small lathes, is grind them to the rake and clearance angles for aluminium, and use them to cut steel. Works fantastically on low rigidity lathes and long slender parts. Same can be said for buying aluminium carbide inserts rather than steel. Most steel inserts need to be pushed reasonably hard before they will achieve anything resembling a decent finish.

I've found this about the carbide angles to be quite true - you either need a ballsy rate of feed or a ball twitching depth of cut or a pucker factor rate of feed to make them fly. Or a combination of the three that most smaller machines don't feel to be truly within their comfort zone. A good compromise is some of the stainless steel specific inserts for some reason.

Originally Posted by No.3

I've found this about the carbide angles to be quite true - you either need a ballsy rate of feed or a ball twitching depth of cut or a pucker factor rate of feed to make them fly. Or a combination of the three that most smaller machines don't feel to be truly within their comfort zone. A good compromise is some of the stainless steel specific inserts for some reason.

Buy some TNGG style high rate cermet inserts and you will not regret it for a low power machine. They do well in many things. A great generalist insert.

https://carbidenz.co.nz/tngg160404r-...-wonder-insert

sometimes HSS is the best choice if you are doing an unusual/awkward job, esp if your machine is fairly light. Assab 17 is head and shoulders more durable than the rest imo, and surprisingly affordable if you sniff around a bit. also in recent times i've been using "wonder inserts" from carbide nz for things like resurfacing the clutch face on a flywheel (localised work hardened patches) where a normal carbide insert "pushes off" a whisker. https://carbidenz.co.nz/tngg160408r-...wonder-insert/

Originally Posted by OPO

sometimes HSS is the best choice if you are doing an unusual/awkward job, esp if your machine is fairly light. Assab 17 is head and shoulders more durable than the rest imo, and surprisingly affordable if you sniff around a bit. also in recent times i've been using "wonder inserts" from carbide nz for things like resurfacing the clutch face on a flywheel (localised work hardened patches) where a normal carbide insert "pushes off" a whisker. https://carbidenz.co.nz/tngg160408r-...wonder-insert/

Good timing same suggestion. We have turned as little as 0.01mm off shafts before at work and often have hours of run time on a corner. As long as you don't smash them 6 cutting edges makes a very affordable insert that doesn't require high speed or deep cuts and gives a great finish.

Originally Posted by 40mm

Thats some good advice mate, I have a bunch of HSS and carbide already.
Ill have a go at grinding as I want to learn, and Ive already got a lot of experience grinding chisels and plane blades etc. But thanks for the advice!
SO.... are you telling me you have a surplus of tool holders and need to sell them???

I'm always willing to come out and impart all my tool grinding knowledge, after those 2 minutes we can just solve the problems of the world.

Originally Posted by 40mm

Thanks.
Hows that new workshop going?

Its too small and I have it jammed tight with machinery, but its a decent space for 1 person to work from.
Im in Papakura now, your welcome to come out for a visit and a yarn. Happy to share what I know about tool grinding and running lathes.

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

Its too small and I have it jammed tight with machinery, but its a decent space for 1 person to work from.
Im in Papakura now, your welcome to come out for a visit and a yarn. Happy to share what I know about tool grinding and running lathes.

I might just do that, Ill give you a buzz next time Im headed that way.

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

Unfortunately not, I sold all of them with the lathe to someone on the forum. Was a great deal for them.
I'm now running a 1100kg precision lathe and have a multi-fix QCTP. The multi-fix is handy for how I work, but I would not recommend it to most simply because of the price.

A good bit of advice for HSS and small lathes, is grind them to the rake and clearance angles for aluminium, and use them to cut steel. Works fantastically on low rigidity lathes and long slender parts. Same can be said for buying aluminium carbide inserts rather than steel. Most steel inserts need to be pushed reasonably hard before they will achieve anything resembling a decent finish.

Since I have them I use the Dickson toolpost.

I assume this is the style of toolpost you are using?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...150003870258_1