QCTP for Busy Bee CX706

[GerryG]

Has anyone fitted a QCTP to a Busy Bee CX706 lathe?

Wondering if an AXA QCTP would work when using 1/2 inch tools or would it be too high.

Thx
Gerry

 

[DAT510]

On my Jet 10x24 lathe, the distance from the Bed to the Surface of the compound, is ~3.875". I'm using a Phase II AXA QCTP and 1/2" tooling. I have about 1/4" clearance, of additional adjustment, below the tool holder when the tooling is properly centered. If your dimensions are similar an AXA tool post should be ok. If not you may need a smaller OXA.

 

[Bob Korves]

The bed to compound distance has nothing to do with it. The important measurement is from spindle center line to top of compound rest where the tool post mounts. The makers of the tool posts should give dimensions that let you decide how it will fit. The height of the various tools you will be using can also enter into the equation. The tool holder must have enough travel to make the thickest and the thinnest tools come to the lathe center line. We are speaking of cutting edge height above bottom of the slot the tools rest on. Smaller shank tools can be shimmed if necessary to reach center line. It is preferable if the tool holder can be raised and lowered normally to reach center line, without needing to use shims, less hassle. Tool post sellers often list the range of lathe swing capacity for choosing tool posts. That measurement also has nothing to do with what size tool post will fit your lathe. Again, center line to top of compound is the only measurement that really matters, along with the dimensions of the cutting tools you will be using.

 

[GerryG]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.
The distance from the centre line to the compound is 1.040" and the distance from the centre line to the cross-slide is 2.978".
I think an AXA would work with 3/8" tooling and under but not sure about 1/2", that's why I was asking if anyone has installed an AXA QCTP to a CX706.

 

[GerryG]

I guess I am looking for the minimum distance as shown in attached photo by DAT510 (thanks for the pic).

 

[Bob Korves]

The tool needs to cut on the center of the work, or close to it. Get yourself something that will get the sharp business end of your tool on the center of the work. The specs of the tool post, tool holders, and tools, and some addition and subtraction, is required. The cross slide height, the bed distance, and the swing of the lathe have no places in those equations.

 

[DAT510]

Hi Gerry,

The important distance is the Centerline to the Top surface of the compound. When originally looked up your lathe, from the pictures it looked like the Top Surface of your compound was higher than mine, and thus why posted a picture of my for comparison.

Here's another picture showing the distance from the top of my compound to the cutter height/centerline of my lathe. On my late I have ~1.25" from the Compound to the centerline. My QCTP has ~1/4" of additional adjustment (when using 1/2" tooling) where the tool could be lowered/moved closer to the compound. Given your compound is about 1/4" taller or closer to the centerline, than mine, you would need to lower the tool holder close to the bottom of tool post in order to center the tool on the centerline, with 1/2" tooling. You could even possibly mill the bottom of the tool holder thinner if you needed to lower the tooling more, at a potential loss of rigidity.

Hoped this helps....

Chris

 

[DAT510]

Here are some links to OXA AXA tool post and tool holder dimensions so you can get a better idea on which might best fit your lathe.

OXA http://www.shars.com/quick-change-tool-post-set-wedge-type-000-oxa

AXA http://www.shars.com/quick-change-tool-post-set-wedge-type-111-axa

 

[GerryG]

Hi Chris,

That helps a lot, thanks very much.

It looks like I'm going to be real close with the AXA with very little room to move below the centre line with a 1/2" tool bit. I'd like to go with the AXA because of the extra rigidity over the OXA. Even with milling the bottom of the tool holder, it should still be more rigid then the OXA.

I think I will go with the AXA.

This is interesting, it says H = .6 to 1.75, it should theoretically fit.

Gerry

 

[RJSakowski]

Hi Chris,

That helps a lot, thanks very much.

It looks like I'm going to be real close with the AXA with very little room to move below the centre line with a 1/2" tool bit. I'd like to go with the AXA because of the extra rigidity over the OXA.

This is interesting, it says H = .6 to 1.75, it should theoretically fit.

Gerry

The .6" dimension isn't for a 1/2" tool. With a 1/2" tool in the 101 tool holder the minimum dimension is .938". It would be .6" for a 1/8" tool.