Need Help!- Quick change tool post

[mak]

I have a 2004 machine and I want to change the turret tool post out to a quick change. Is there any that fit my machine well or one that someone recommends with little modifications. Thanks for your time.

Mike

[dahui]

If by "little modification" you mean finding a very hard to find compound slide and then machining a new base plate and T-nut for it then yes.

I considered retrofiting a QCTP to the existing shoptask riser block thingy, but then you would have no compound. I considered retrofiting the shoptask compound but it has an almost useless range of travel. About an inch and half if I remember correctly and no real provision to poperly mount a QCTP. That's a problem if you want to taper anything very much since the ST has no taper attachmnent.

So, I opted to scour ebay for months untill I found a compound that suited my needs. The first one I bought was off an old southbend 10" lathe and turned out to be too small...for my liking. It's similar to the original ST compound in size. Finally I found a clausing compound from a 14" lathe. This one is a bit big but has a usable 3" of travel and I can hold a 3/4" tool and still make center height. The toolpost I chose was a KDK and these were fairly common on ebay last time I checked.

Check out the link on my site under "machining projects/clausing compound base" for some pics of that project. I highly recommend it, very much worth the trouble.

[mixdenny]

Are the Shoptask quick change units still available? My 2000 Eldorado came with one, it works fine. It came with an assortment of tool holders. I didn't realize they had dropped it as standard equipment.

Also, remember that you can swivel the table and use the Y axis feed for longer tapers. It might be a problem if you needed the tailstock, though.

Dennis

[smallblock]

Mak,
Does your machine have the traditional style compound with the Shoptask turret block on top? If yes, you can probably replace the turret block with one of those Chinese made aloris copies- harbor Fright has one for about 79.95. The new Patriot machine has a unique system with a solid turret and a compound that attaches to it like a toolholder. At first I thought it was sort of an odd design, but after using it I understand the idea. For most of my stuff I use the turret only, so the compound stays on the shelf. The turret is fast and easy to remove when changing to milling. For those few occasions when I need a compound, I can pull it out and attach it.
To DaHui,
I saw your mod and the work was impressive- just one suggestion- change your little red arrows to white or yellow- it took me a while to see them and be able to navigate your site.

[mak]

Dahui,

Thanks for the help and I will check out your site.

smallblock,

Yes the turret block is on top of the compound slide. I will look into the HF tool posts.
After installing a QCTP on my mini lathe and having all the tools hit where the should with out spinning anything, I thought I have to get one for my bigger machine.

Thank you all for your time.
Mike

[dahui]

Ah, I guess I got the new style tool post then because mine mounts the compund on one of the tool holder mounts. I like to think of it as a slow change tool post.

Generally I don't like to rotate my table since I seem to have issue squaring a face anyway. Even though everything indicates true, I still tend to get a taper on a face. I've been thinking my headstock is not aligned with the ways. I get about .002 taper per inch when I'm turning as well.

[dgapilot]

Don't rely on the index marks for the table. Mine are about 1/2 a mark off with the table square. Put an indicator in the chuck with it offset as far as you can get it. Then spin the chuck by hand to indicate the edge of the table away from you and towards you. keep dong this until you have 0 error. As for the tail post, put a center in the spindle and another in the tail post. Bring them together slowly with a piece of sheet metal between them (I use aluminum so I don't ding the centers). As the centers touch the sheetmetal observe what the sheetmetal does. If it stays normal to the spindle axis, the centers are properly aligned. If it wants to twist left or right, the tailstock is off center left or right and needs to be moved to bring it into alignment. If it twists top to bottom, then the tailstock isn't in the same plane as the spindle and needs to be raised or lowered. Mine was fine up and down, but was off quite a bit front to back. Be sure the ways are parallel before doing this. If the bed is twisted, it will give you the indication that the tailstock is off center. and will give a taper.

[mixdenny]

JTS machinery has one on their eBay store for $79.95. They don't list the "X" designation, but it fits a 6" to 12" lathe, which should be the AXA size, and that's the size you want. My factory QC tool post is 2 1/4" high, same as an AXA. Give them a call for a better description if you are interested. I was just there this afternoon.

The cheap one at HF is for the mini lathe, which is too small.

In case the claimed 17" swing on the Shoptask is confusing, remember that it is actually sized like a 12" gap bed lathe, which has 7" or so swing over the carriage and 17" in the gap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/QUICK-CHANGE-TOO...742.m153.l1262

[fastlanecafe]

When I got my used Quadra Lift it had the original Shoptask turret style toolpost. I bought one of those sets like on the e-bay ad, and the fit was perfect. You can use the original shoptask base. I made a new cylinder style T nut to fit the base and with a stud to match the quick change so I can switch back to the original style anytime. I got my set from Harbor Freight which was identical to the one pictured on E-bay, but it is made in India.

[mak]

Mixdenny, fastlanecafe,

Thank you, That is the information I needed. Thanks to all for the help.

Thanks
Mike