Best Quick change for the Mini Lathe

[paul_cpu]

Quick change arrived today, I'll set it up tomorrow.

 

[paul_cpu]

 

[paul_cpu]

It's a real nice unit.

 

[Ken from ontario]

I know looks can be deceiving but that QCTP kit looks like the one from LMS, if the tool post and tool holders clamp tight and there's no slop, then you got a great kit.
Congratulations , that is a solid base to build on.

 

[paul_cpu]

Yes I think it is the same one. I have a question about the cut off tool. Is the blade I have to high, or is the tool holder not the right one for the mini lathe as it angles up just a little bit and the tool holder won't go any lower.

 

[royesses]

That is the wrong tool holder for the 7X mini lathe. You need a 250-007T straight tool holder. The one you have is a 250-007 which is a 4° tilt up for a larger lathe. The 250-007T has the blade straight out with no angle up.

Roy

 

[addertooth]

In my opinion you have too much parting tool sticking out past the holder, which is part of the reason you are so high. It also will be more likely to chatter and give a bad cut with so much parting tool hanging out. Never have more parting tool hanging out than is strictly needed to cut the thickness you need. You have enough tool hanging out to cut a 3 inch bar, but your workpiece is less than an inch thick. Also be aware of clearance from the tool holder and the chuck. It may mean sliding the part out a very small distance (half inch). But it looks like the part is already far enough out for tool holder clearance in this picture. Roy is right about your tool holder, but, you can make do with the holder you have for small diameters for now.

..see picture

 

[Ken from ontario]

Excellent post Roy, nice catch.
Paul, if you search this site you'll find many shop made plans for cut-off tool holders, one of the better one was designed and posted by Mikey, the good news is you can machine it out of Aluminum, I'll look for it and post it here later. now that you have your QCTP set I'm sure you're looking for new projects, this cut-off tool holder would be a good start.

 

[Ken from ontario]

Here's the blog I'm talking about, it is written by Mikey for his Sherline lathe but it works perfectly with my mini:

Rear-mounted Parting Tool Holder for Sherline Lathe – MachinistBlog.com

And this is the thread where I found it:

How to Mount Parting Tool

I bought this parting tool but not sure how to use it. Some sites show the tool located behind the stock and some in front of the stock. Which is the right way to mount the tool?

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[paul_cpu]

@adder The photo the tool is literally just sitting there. How ever you make a good point I will re-check this to confirm but I think I tried a bunch of times, but I'll try with the blade closer. I did a fair bit of googling/research and I suspected there was a tool holder that was not on that angle but was unable to 100% confirm. I'll try shortly once the sun comes up.

Even after closing that gap it's still not near the center.


I'll also take a photo of the parting tool holder which is angled up for reference.

@Ken Thank you, yes I need a project. As you can tell I am new, how ever I can feel I am addicted and I am really wanting to make some things...I just don't know what to make.