Which Qctp?

[wa5cab]

Ed,

I would have returned the 101 holder in your photo for a refund or replacement. About half of my 101 tool holders are no-name Chinese from Wholesale Tool. But none of them look anything like your photo.

David,

I've been recommending that anyone buying a QCTP buy a minimum of 5 101 or 102 holders with the initial purchase. With only the one that normally comes with a set, you are hardly any better off than with the lantern style holder.

Mike,

I don't consider "inexpensive" and "cheap" to be synonyms. There are two words which, if included in a message from anyone looking for something, cause me to delete it without any reply. These are "cheap" (price) and "reasonable" (price). They both mean cheap in the derogatory sense.

 

[cdhknives]

Everyone's experience is different, and bad units get past QC everywhere. None of my dozen or so Phase II tool holders look like the one pictured above. All were purchased within the last 2 years. All are well made, have good quality dovetails, threads, and set screws, and lock up tight in the toolpost. Given the limitations of a light duty hobby lathe like our Atlas machines (this is an Atlas forum) the extra benefit of the Aloris quality level is mostly lost due to the light duty machine. A good middle of the road toolpost will reach the limits of the machine just fine IMO. If I were running a 5000 lb 12" ultra precision lathe and working to the tenths I would be a lot freer with the $$$ for a toolpost, but for our Atlas, put the money to cutting tools and practice materials.

 

[BGHansen]

I have a BXA piston style from All Industrial Tool, BXA wedge style from CDCO and a BXA piston style from Grizzly (came with the lathe). Must be I'm just lucky, but I've had no issues with any of them. The CDCO 101/102 holders don't always just drop down on the Grizzly tool post, might need a rock back/forth to remove them. The CDCO's were tight on my All Industrial Tool post also. I've had no problems with screws being off angle or soft either. I've never used an Aloris so can't speak to the finish or function, but they must be top-notched since they are the high-cost provider and stay in business. I don't regret buying the import ones I did. Maybe my uneducated decision to go with the Chinese hobby machinist <$175 QCTP worked out for me because I don't know any better.

Bruce

 

[Rob]

I have an Aloris AXA on my 12" Atlas(exceptional deal) . I also purchased a wedge type AXA QCTP from Tools4Cheap for my Uncle when they were still in business. I will say that the finish and operation is a lot better on the Aloris. This may be due to it being used and broken in when I got it. Knowing what I do about both of them I will also say that had I had to pay the price for a new Aloris I do not think that I would have spent the extra money on it. I am also very happy that I have it. You can tell good tools by the feel and operation of them.

 

[Spike440]

Wow has this turned into a discussion! Sorry for the different user name but my original account has been reduced to 'guest' for some reason. I have the lathe pretty much back together and now need to figure out how everything works. I still plan to pick up a QCTP but till I actually have more than the one bit I have there is no hurry. Anyway, off to read some more, thanks everyone.
-Spike

 

[TLW]

I have a BXA piston style from All Industrial Tool, BXA wedge style from CDCO and a BXA piston style from Grizzly (came with the lathe). Must be I'm just lucky, but I've had no issues with any of them. The CDCO 101/102 holders don't always just drop down on the Grizzly tool post, might need a rock back/forth to remove them. The CDCO's were tight on my All Industrial Tool post also. I've had no problems with screws being off angle or soft either. I've never used an Aloris so can't speak to the finish or function, but they must be top-notched since they are the high-cost provider and stay in business. I don't regret buying the import ones I did. Maybe my uneducated decision to go with the Chinese hobby machinist <$175 QCTP worked out for me because I don't know any better.

Bruce

Bruce,
I too have bought a bunch of holders from CDCO. A dozen so far. Yup some of the holders are to tight to fit my post but I have the ability to put them on the surface grinder and do a custom fit. I figure at $9.00 each that's not a bad deal to spend a day fitting holders. I never had the problem of too soft a set screw but I did have the problem of to hard a screw. They would crack at the allen socket. Simple fix...I just bought a box of American made set screws from the local Ace Hardware store and replace them as I add to my collection. It's really nice to have 15 holders at the ready. I have almost every tool always ready to use.

 

[TLW]

Just gotta disagree with this. My one and only Phase II holder is a real piece of junk; so poorly made it is embarrassing. The rest of my AXA holders are Aloris; some bought new, some used, some that came with the lathe.

Look at how the tool holder opening is misshapen. If you intend to do precision work, why handicap yourself with inferior tooling?

I would not be very happy with your experience either. My reaction would be to send it back and ask for a proper tool post. That POS should have never made it to your door.