Which Import QCTP Holders to Buy?

[G-ManBart]

Well, my experience is definitely dated. I probably bought the last of my CDCO holders more than 15 years ago, maybe more. When BXA size was $10... The only ones I've purchased in the last five years were the Accusize. The CDCO I bought had terrible fasteners, very loose fit in the threads, no fit in the hex heads, and made out of some lead alloy near as I can reckon from their softness. Still, all that said, replace the hardware and they've been fine.

Top L to Bottom R: CDCO (with new hardware), Accusize, Dorian, Aloris:
View attachment 506494

GsT

It sounds like CDCO has maybe listened to the comments about the hardware. I got a Bostar BXA starter set last week for a lathe I'm fixing up and took the holders out of the bags today. The set screws all fit nicely in the threads and a 5mm hex key was snug like it should be. I will say the hex broaching on the height adjuster studs was a little less than perfect and all of the adjuster studs needed to be tightened, but I've found that with almost every brand for some reason.

It seems there are two schools of thought on sizing the actual holder...Aloris and Dorian. Dorian makes theirs a bit longer and the slot for the tool is below center. Aloris is a bit shorter and the slot is pretty well centered. I guess some imports copy one style and other imports copy the other style except some of the longer imports have a centered slot, so I guess those are 50/50. I didn't have a Dorian BXA to compare, but your Aloris and Dorian BXA show the same basic difference that I see with the CXA size...Dorian is a bit longer and has the slot lower. Like you said, they all work, but it is interesting to note the slight differences.

For my Clausing the Aloris style is a bit better and for my Victor the Dorian style is a bit better, but only based on where the lower ledge is positioned.

 

[GeneT45]

My 1440 is sized such that either a BXA or CXA toolpost will work. I had both for many years, but almost always used the BXA. When I moved last I finally got rid of the CXA toolpost.* So I'm fortunate in that my lathe is in that "sweet spot" where I don't have to worry about where the slot is (other than theoretical strength concerns). I've never found a toolholder that didn't fit my machine with room for adjustment.

GsT

*I'm sure someone reading this thinks I'm an idiot, but I've never seen a difference in rigidity, the BXA toolholders are cheaper, and the smaller toolpost is easier to work around.