when I upgraded to my new/old lathe a few months ago, about the only thing it didn't come with was a tool post, tool holders and tooling. I made a decision (right or wrong) to get a good quality tool post and cutting tools for this, my 2nd lathe, and then get import tool holders from what I consider (again, right or wrong) one of the better chinese companies, Phase II, although I also ended up with 1 used Aloris tool holder and 1 used Dorian tool holder. I purchased a NOS, in the foam filled box Dorian SD35CXA wedge style tool post at what I feel was a very good price on ebay. it was def brand new, didn't have a mark on it.
the first couple of cuts I made, the tool holder came loose while cutting. quickly realized that I had to whack the handle tight with my palm when locking it. did not seem right but worked. also, to remove a tool holder, had to have the handle in the middle of the stroke. if I swung the handle to full open, the tool holder would not come off. this was only true of the side of the tool post used for turning and facing. the other position, I'll call it the boring bar side worked perfectly. this was the case with all my tool holders, Phase II, Aloris, and Dorian.
the tool post was perfectly usable but not right, so I finally called Dorian Tools today. the SD35 is a discontinued product. when I got tech support on the phone, he said he'd never seen that model and put me on hold to talk to someone else, and/or look at a schematic, not sure. he asked me if there was a set screw on each side on the model I have and I confirmed. he said to try turning it out 1/4 turn and that should adjust it.
I thanked him and proceeded to tinker with it. I ended up turning the set screw all the way out, 1/4 turn at a time, then all the way back in until it locked. backing out the set screw did cure the locking issue, but still cannot remove a tool holder when the handle is all the way open. anyone have any idea if there is an internal adjustment on these things? or is it a mistake to open this up? I have attached a video showing that the wedge comes out when turning the handle to tight, goes back in when the handle is moved to the center of the stroke and then comes back out slightly when the handle is at full open, or release. again, the wedge on the other side does not do this. thanks.
the first couple of cuts I made, the tool holder came loose while cutting. quickly realized that I had to whack the handle tight with my palm when locking it. did not seem right but worked. also, to remove a tool holder, had to have the handle in the middle of the stroke. if I swung the handle to full open, the tool holder would not come off. this was only true of the side of the tool post used for turning and facing. the other position, I'll call it the boring bar side worked perfectly. this was the case with all my tool holders, Phase II, Aloris, and Dorian.
the tool post was perfectly usable but not right, so I finally called Dorian Tools today. the SD35 is a discontinued product. when I got tech support on the phone, he said he'd never seen that model and put me on hold to talk to someone else, and/or look at a schematic, not sure. he asked me if there was a set screw on each side on the model I have and I confirmed. he said to try turning it out 1/4 turn and that should adjust it.
I thanked him and proceeded to tinker with it. I ended up turning the set screw all the way out, 1/4 turn at a time, then all the way back in until it locked. backing out the set screw did cure the locking issue, but still cannot remove a tool holder when the handle is all the way open. anyone have any idea if there is an internal adjustment on these things? or is it a mistake to open this up? I have attached a video showing that the wedge comes out when turning the handle to tight, goes back in when the handle is moved to the center of the stroke and then comes back out slightly when the handle is at full open, or release. again, the wedge on the other side does not do this. thanks.
