Maximat 7 top/compound tool holder alternatives

[shootin-blanks]

I just received a Maximat 7 with milling head. someone has broken the top/compound tool holder.. Looking for alternatives.
there is a complete one on Ebay 275$..
This is my first lathe and diving in head first. I found a picture on Ebay of a 'repaired" compound.. I assume the top would need to be trued/*FLAT and a piece of trued plate fastened to the top.. not sure what a shop would charge for that.. but I'm sure it would not be cheap..
thanks
Scott

 

[matthewsx]

A compound is such a critical piece I'd be tempted to look for an original replacement, definitely not repaired.

Alternatively, you can build a new solid tool post which might be a great solution. Search on here any you'll see many good examples. Pictures of your machine will help too....

 

[shootin-blanks]

Here's a quick picture I snapped before I left the house. Got the headstock oil changed, why would they put the drain plug behind the chuck? Fresh grease in the milling head. Bolted a small vise to the table and made some chips

 

[matthewsx]

Yes, with a t-slot cross slide and a built in milling machine a solid toolpost is a no-brainer.

Be happy you have a drain plug, some machines don’t.

John

 

[mickri]

Welcome to the forum. Don't be afraid to ask any questions no matter how trivial you may think they are. There are a lot of really knowledge people on here that will answer all of your questions.

Look into making a Normon style QCTP. A lot forum members have made them. I made one for my Craftsman 12x36. Here is a link to my thread on mine that goes over what you need to figure out to make one to fit your lathe. https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/norman-style-qctp.79705/ Making one for your lathe/mill would be easier to make than mine. You don't need the T nut or the base and post. Your post would screw into the cross slide. While you could probably just use a long bolt for the post it might better to make a larger diameter post that screws into the cross slide.

You can make one of these and all the tool holders you might ever need for a fraction of the cost to buy one.

 

[shootin-blanks]

thanks, I have no idea what I doing. (techniques, required tooling) . time for lots of youtube and search engine time.
I played with it today, everything seems to work fine, powerfeed is WAY cool.. My favorite shop tool is my 50s/60s 14" Delta floor drill press. A good friend bought me a "jack shaft" to slow things down. Can't wait to learn on the this little lathe/ mill... Although it could become a DEEP rabbit hole.. On a GOOD note.. one of my clients is the largest local scrap yard.. i can have anything i can carry..
Plenty of alum pieces, tubing, round stock, plate, square, blocks.. whatever to play with..

 

[mickri]

Mr Pete aka Tubalcain is your friend. https://www.youtube.com/c/mrpete222/videos He is a retired high school shop teacher and knows how to teach. Work your way through his videos. You won't regret the time you spend. IMHO he is the best of the best for a beginner. There are other people with great videos that will help you with fine points and tips once you get your feet wet watching Mr Pete.

Don't go buying everything under the sun. Buy only what you need for a given project. Over time you will accumulate quite a collection of tooling. What came with your lathe/mill? Show us pictures of everything you got.

 

[shootin-blanks]

Is the treasure pictures

 

[mickri]

I see a 3 jaw chuck in one of the pictures. Did you get any other chucks like a 4 jaw or different size 3 jaw chucks? I see some atlas/craftsman tool bit holders that are typically used with a lantern style tool post. Did you get any type of tool post holder? You will need some type of tool post holder to be able to use the lathe.

 

[shootin-blanks]

only the one three jaw chuck. the damaged top/compound is a tool post holder and I got this bit holder for 3/8" sq. that will use the T-slots in the cross slide. i have friend that thinks he can repair/save my compound.