Newbie- AxA upgrade help...(HF 8x12)

[xl97]

I ordered an AxA QCTP from LMS...

as well as there modified compound rest top...


and I guess Im having some trouble/questions on how to swap out the original for the new AxA..


1.) the original compound rest top.. has a 'spindle/hand wheel' to 'fine tune' the tool holder close/away from the chuck...

I dont see any mount holes to add this the newer compound rest from LMS.. (so I guess it doesnt get used anymore????) I was NOT aware of that..that stinks..


2.) I see I need to take the gib and the gib screws and use them on the new one... but I dont see how the new AxA holder..mounts to the new compound?

anyone got some pics of an upgrade to their 8x12 to an AxA QCTP? (the steps/process)

this is driving me NUTS!


thanks

[DonF]

The big question is WHY???
When you could have had a AXA tool post that just bolted on your 8x12 with no mods, no mucking around, no hassle from lathemaster... and it has so many good reviews. Some right here.
http://www.lathemaster.com/QUICK%20C...POST%20SET.htm

Do a search of the forum you will see that cutting down the compound is not the best way. Also last year there was a mag that released DIY plans for a QCTP for the 8x12. They looked pretty good!

Me I just used the stock tool post and some shims it takes an extra minute to adjust tool height - not a big deal to me.
http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=B1256 ordered these through a freind in Canada as they only ship in country.

[xl97]

ok.... well I was told that just getting the modified compound ALSO made the AxA a direct bolt on.... WITHOUT having to buy modified holders...

(again, I was told no modifications going this route as well..)

so back on track..any advice? or no?

are you saying there ARE modifications that need to be made?..and if so.. what ones are you saying need to be made?


Thanks

[DonF]

Do a search of the past post here also yahoo has a Lathemaster forum that has a ton of 8x12 info since they are the same machine. There were other problems mentioned as in no oiler plug etc with the replacement parts.
Me I would send it all back to LMS but that just me.
Modified tool holders are no big deal, they are a bit thinner standard ones. They can be cut in a few minutes or they are cheap from Lathemaster.

I think people buy all this stuff before they even know how to use what they have, I know I almost did.

[xl97]

SO your advice is to just send it all back? as in its NOT usable? (without modification?)

Thanks

[DonF]

Originally Posted by xl97 SO your advice is to just send it all back? as in its NOT usable? (without modification?) Thanks

I'm saying to do some research - from what I read here, from what I read in other places like the lathemaster forum, the cut down compound was not the best choice for my money or frustration level, or even a choice at all considering my other choices.
Its all been done before, a few hours of reading / effort can help you make your own decisions.
Like I said I know what I would do, thats send all that crud back - your choices may vary.

[xl97]

Its not that I didnt read. or know lathemaster had a version they offered...

I did.. hell I even emailed lathemaster.com.. and was completely ignored.. (that was a factor in who got my money as well)..

I guess my decision was also based on false or hlaf truth information as well.. I was under the impression that the LMS version was a simple 'bolt on' as well..

(with new compound rest top)....

I also thought possibly not having to order special, modified tool holders from only 1 place would be a BONUS.... and allow for purchase from anywhere..

its seems like your 'upset' that someone comes here looking for advice?

I read, and thought I was making a good decision based on the info I had received..

turns out I was wrong..and came looking for help.. simple..nothing more, nothing less.

[DonF]

Im not upset. Why would I be? Its you that has the problem...
Your asking me to make a decision that you need to make - I already told you what I would do twice.

[ibuildstuff4u]

Pictures of what you are trying to do would really help. I think I understand your problems, unlike Don, and will try to help.

You have to take your old compound apart and swap out the top piece with your new cut down one you bought from LMS. You need to reuse all of the old compound parts and just swap out the top piece. The compound rest bottom piece has the tapped hole for your fine adjustment nob so you will NOT loose that feature.

As for mounting the quick change tool post, it should mount with one bolt that screws into the top of the compound rest. It should have the right bolt if you bought the correct QCTP for your lathe.

Here is a picture of my old lathe with a quick change tool holder installed. The compound rest is stock, but it should still help you out.


Just let me know if you have any other questions, I would be more than happy to help.

Dale P.

[xl97]

Originally Posted by DonF Im not upset. Why would I be? Its you that has the problem... Your asking me to make a decision that you need to make - I already told you what I would do twice.

first off... lets be clear.. I asked for advice on how to mount/use/work with what I jave..

your first and initial response.. was "WHY?"...

I didnt ask you for any decision...I asked for advice on how to mount..and pics..

you couldnt stay on topic.. so I asked why you said what I 'do have' needs to be modified.. (as I posted I was under the impression nothing did)..and what exactly needed to be modified..

I think you need to get a 'hug' or something... so far your replies/comments have been 100% negative and useless..

noone makes you hang out here...or post.. so just do yourself a favor and skip the threads that seem to anger you so much..and if you nothing to say.

Even stating to return it and get the LM version was a start..but you quickly lost that path..

(sigh)

[xl97]

Originally Posted by ibuildstuff4u Pictures of what you are trying to do would really help. I think I understand your problems, unlike Don, and will try to help. You have to take your old compound apart and swap out the top piece with your new cut down one you bought from LMS. You need to reuse all of the old compound parts and just swap out the top piece. The compound rest bottom piece has the tapped hole for your fine adjustment nob so you will NOT loose that feature. As for mounting the quick change tool post, it should mount with one bolt that screws into the top of the compound rest. It should have the right bolt if you bought the correct QCTP for your lathe. Here is a picture of my old lathe with a quick change tool holder installed. The compound rest is stock, but it should still help you out. Just let me know if you have any other questions, I would be more than happy to help. Dale P.

hey ibuildstuff4u-

thanks for the reply..

I have taken off my original top..and replaced it with the new one..but the new one does NOT have any holes/tapped/threaded for the 'fine adjustment knob' to be bolted back on/to it..

Im not sure how to get the post out of the original rest top either.... but even if I did.. I cant see how it fits together??

the QCTP is the AxA from LMS.. they said I would need a specific compound rest in order for it to mount on as an easy 'bolt-on' upgrade.. this would negate the need to have a modified post..as well as the need for modified tool holders..

I will for sure get you some pics.. (Im sure it will help)..

Thanks.. appreciate the help.

ok I couldnt wait..so I snapped a few picks real quick... (not the best but they'll do)


first if the compound rest top.. there are NO holes to mount the fine tuning knob..



next is the tool holder itself.. looking at the bottom.. the bolt it came with is 'flush' to the bottom.. so I dont see how I can mount it to the rest top they told me to buy?



here is the rest top..just plain ol' pic..from the top..



thanks

[ibuildstuff4u]

The pictures were a great help! I see your problems and have a few solutions.

First of all I would call or E-Mail LMS about the holes that are not drilled and tapped and ask if they normally come with them ready to go. I would think that they should have been drilled and tapped for you. It wouldn't be to hard to do your self, but at $35.00 for the part your shouldn't have to. Also you will need the correct METRIC tap for the project which may cost you a trip to the hardware store if you don't have one on hand.

As for mounting the QCTP there are two ways to mount it.

The easiest is to buy a longer bolt and thread it into the compound rest. Looking at the LMS web site I see they offer two different versions of the compound rest top. I'm not sure which one you bought, but one is tapped with a 10M metric thread and the other is a 9/16-18 thread. It's hard to see in your pictures, but it looks like the hole is NOT already threaded on the compound rest top that you bought? If it's not you can drill and tap it to a size that will work but only if the hole is small enough other wise you will have to use the second method to mount it.

The second method is to make a stud similar to the one on your old compound that press fits from the bottom of the compound and is threaded on the top. The threads would stick out higher than the tool post and you could add a nut on top or make a custom threaded handle so you can tighten it with out having use a wrench.

I guess in the end, if it's not threaded on the top I would call LMS first and see if this is the best part to use, or if one of the other compound rest tops that they sell would work out better.

Dale P.