Quick change tool post

00harleydyna

00harleydyna

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I'm looking to upgrade to a quick change tool post on my 7x12 lathe. Any recommendations on brand. What size is best, cxa, axa, bxa? Wedge or piston style? Any input would be very appreciated!
 
You'll want the AXA, others will hold the tool too high. Aside from popularity/cost, most brands are functionally alike buy not the cheapest, but one better than that. Go with the Wedge style, that seems to be a bit more accurate when it comes to repeating position. The biggest cost comes when you decide you need more and more tool holders. Some folks have 30 or more, I'd think you could get by with a dozen or so. It depends on your needs.
 
Thanks, I'm using 3/8 and 1/2 in hss blanks in my turret style holder now and have to grind so much off the top that it just doesn't seem practical, are the quick change wedge posts as rigid as they claim.
 
It's possible you may need something smaller than an AXA, possibly an OXA QCTP. What's important is the Distance from the Lathe Centerline to the top surface of your Compound, as it determines the size you need.

If you need an OXA, places like Little Machine Shop sell them. https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3048&category=

As for Rigidity, I've found the compound plays a bigger part than the tool post. Some people remove the compound, mounting the Tool Post directly to the cross-slide for maximum rigidity.

Hope this helps.
axatoolpost_dimension.jpg
 
Ok, so the ones I'm looking at Mount with a t nut to the compound. My compound doesn't have a t nut slot. Can they Mount with the stud that my tool post is already mounted to. I guess if my stud was too small in diameter I could always make a bushing or a custom stud without having to drill and tap a bigger hole in my compound. I've found other ones that are cheaper and look like they Mount the same way my tool post is mounted but they look pretty cheap and are made out of aluminum. I'd rather have a steel one.
 
Which 7x12 do you have? Some of them are a pain to mount a QCTP to. And someone might have experience with that model.
 
Thanks axa fits 6-12 inches, oxa fits up to 8. My lathe is 7", realistically like 6-6.5 inches. From my research I think both would work except I wouldn't have enough clearance with the axa using the parting tool because of the 4° angle, does that make sense? So I will need oxa if I am parting off?
 
Thanks, I am looking at the ones on lms and eBay, the ones I'm looking at seem to be mechanically the same but the ones on eBay are $20 cheaper and come with a knurling tool.
 
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