I have the HF lathe and im using tool holders that are 3/8" thick and because of this the bit does not hit the center of my work. What can I do, will a quick change tool holder allow for more adjustments?

I am not familiar with the HF lathe but I would think most definitely it would offer the adjustment you need as well as other very useful functions. A definite purchase if you do not have one.

Ken(shea)

I'm looking at this one-

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1786

Yep,
you will wonder how you got along with out it! and the price looks very fair.

How much from center? Above or below? 'tool holders that are 3/8" thick?' Brazed, inserts?

I'm using 3/8" thck holders with inserts and I would say it's above the center by 1/16-3/32 +/-.

Then it is simply a matter of getting 1/4" insert holders and use shims to adjust up to center. You can use ether metal shim stock or color coded plastic shim sets.

Is that a common size?

Paul,
Or you can mill of the bottom of your 4 way or each tool holder to get them to center.
I've had to do this before.
If you mill of the 4 way then it's a one shot deal and your set for life. Well the life of the machine anyway.:D

Parden my ignorance. But I really though I had seen 1/4 shank insert turning tools. I had assumed that since 1/4 brazed holders were standard, so would be insert holders. Boy I was wrong. I have done very little turning work for last nearly 20 years. The past 20 years mostly NC/CNC milling.

Brazed turning tooling comes in 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2 and so on. I do remember a 1/2 square insert holder ground down behind the insert portion for 3/8 use. I though I had seen 1/4 shank holders at a West-Tech.

Anyway, your machine sounds like it takes 5/16 holders.

A found a source:
http://www.sommatool.com/catalog/quick.change/carbide.insert.holders.asp
http://www.sommatool.com/catalog/quick.change/tool.holders.and.inserts.asp

Now this is more like what I was thinking of (1/4"):
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1913

Thanks, I think that's just what I need.

Here's (http://wttool.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3003-0026&Category_Code=) another QCTP set that is pretty decent and a good buy at $39.
ive used one for about 3 months and have had no problems as of yet CNCadmin.
Mind you, its not the greatest for the mini lathe but it gets the job done well, and making extra(custom) holders is a breeze.