Wedge or Piston QCTP

[benmychree]

I believe there is little difference in ridgidity between the two types, the difference is in repeatability, the wedge type winning the title. So far as ridgidity, I have occasionally forgotten to fully tighten the wedge type, the fit is loosy goosy, but no chatter results; case closed!

 

[Aaron_W]

There is, in my experience, about zero difference between high and low end QCTPs. I would not willingly spend more for Aloris. The exception is the 71 parting blade…now that piece works the way you’d hope it would.

Somebody on the forum was having some quality control issues with real Aloris tool holders. As I recall it was mostly cosmetic, but pretty sad when you get better QC on the Chinese copies than the real thing costing 2x as much.

 

[MrWhoopee]

When in the business, we would have nothing but Aloris or Dorian wedge style. Now that it actually comes out of my pocket and isn't deductible, I find my Bostar wedge style to be perfectly acceptable. Not as tight or smooth as an Aloris, not $800 either.

BOSTAR BXA 250-222 Wedge Type Tool Post, Tool Holder Set for Lathe10 - 15" , 9PC | eBay

Whole set includes: (Total 9PC ). All working parts hardened and precision ground. 250- 204 (1PC) Heavy Duty Boring Bar Holder, can use 3/4" and 1" two size shank boring bars. 250- 202XL (1PC) Oversize Slot Boring,Turning & Facing Tool Holder, can use square shank or round shank bits up to 3/4".

www.ebay.com

 

[mmcmdl]

Wedge .

 

[silence dogood]

This debate is almost like which way do you hang the tp in the bathroom. As Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind would say "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" as long as there is a roll of tp. The piston type is more simpler to make. The piston is also more robust than that moving wedge. So is one better than the other? I really don't know. I do like the convenience of the quick change and mine does it's job just fine.

 

[Skimpass]

This debate is almost like which way do you hang the tp in the bathroom. As Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind would say "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" as long as there is a roll of tp. The piston type is more simpler to make. The piston is also more robust than that moving wedge. So is one better than the other? I really don't know. I do like the convenience of the quick change and mine does it's job just fine.

There is a VERY clear and correct answer as to which way toilet paper goes.

 

[rabler]

I’ve never used a piston style. I do like that the wedge style clearly pulls the block down when tightened, seem that would be more repeatable.

 

[projectnut]

I have both styles and they seem to work equally well. I have an AXA piston style on a 10" lathe I purchased new about 21 years ago. I also have a BXA wedge style on a 13" lathe. I'm not sure of the exact age of this one. It came with the machine when I purchased it in 2016. I do know it was purchased by the previous owner about the same time I purchased the AXA for my other lathe. Both are Phase II brand.

I never purchased a knurling tool for the BXA tool post, but did have a bump style one for the AXA tool post. As an experiment when making some knurled nuts I moved the AXA to the large lathe. Once it shimmed properly it worked great. No rigidity or repeatability problems.

 

[Janderso]

I believe there is little difference in ridgidity between the two types, the difference is in repeatability, the wedge type winning the title. So far as ridgidity, I have occasionally forgotten to fully tighten the wedge type, the fit is loosy goosy, but no chatter results; case closed!

Funny you mentioned it. I found myself using the lathe over the weekend, finished a cut and noticed I hadn't locked the wedge. I didn't even notice??
I have a CXA Aloris wedge. Love it =rock solid.

 

[Kevin T]

I understand that there are older Aloris used holders that were made for the early piston type and it is possible to get interference when trying to install an old school Aloris holder in a new wedge. I had this happen to me with used purchase and had to work the dove tail with a file for a while before I could use it. Every now and again I'll be working and change tools to one that is suddenly not easy to slide on and I say, "Ah there it is!"