QCTP holders for a Phase 2 0XA tool post

[mattthemuppet]

First post on here

I bought this post a while back with a couple of turning holders, a 3/8 boring bar holder and a parting holder. Although super handy, I often have to swap tools out of holders which defeats the purpose of the QCTP. I got hold of a 2x1x6in piece of mystery steel and started turning it into tool holders.

Not many pics, but I roughed the slot for the dovetail first, then cut the dovetail (had to make a new carbide insert dovetail cutter first). I then cut off 1in blanks from both ends, faced the ends and the new blanks, then kept cutting.

After that it was a simple (!) case of cutting slots, drilling and tapping holes. I made the adjuster knobs out of 1/2 in alu rod that I cut grooves in with a ball end mill using my hex ER25 collet chuck. The finishes on the holders aren't great, but all the milling work was done (very very slowly) on a drill press with XY vise and collet chuck. These took a VERY long time and cost me 3 end mills. Next ones will be made out of alu



once I get the next lot done, I'll have all the tools I use in holders and the plans to make more if I need them.

thanks for looking!

[Paul Jones]

mattthemuppet,

Great first time post and lots of photos for us to look at. This project is very encouraging for those who do not own or have access to a milling machine. I like the fact you did the machining with a drill press and only the XY vise and collet chuck. I am looking forward to seeing more projects from your lathe now that you have expanded your tool holder collection.

Regards, Paul Jones

[mattthemuppet]

thanks Paul, that's very kind! Although I desperately want a milling machine the DP lets me do a lot of stuff I otherwise wouldn't be able to do. I spent a lot of time reworking the HF XY vise, which helps a lot, and added a treadmill motor+rpm sensor to the DP, which made a huge difference. I can't tell you how pumped I am to have those extra tool holders, can't wait to finish the rest!

[PJs]

Well Done, Mattthemuppet! Love that old Walker DP and that you took on the HFT XY table reboot for your shop. That treadmill mod is something I've wanted to do since I saw Cap'n Leeward do it to his. Would love to see the carbide dovetail cutter you made. Great use of what you had to get it done. Way Handy. Thanks for the great first post and inspirations! ~PJ

[mattthemuppet]

thanks PJ, here it is:



I also added pics of a couple of other useful attachments I made, although these were done with an O1 cutter. That worked ok in aluminium but died a very quick death in steel! The DTI holder has had alot of use, the cross drilling holder none yet, but I'm sure it'll be super useful for that rare job that needs it.

The XY vise still isn't great - the moving jaw lifts and it gets very tight at both extremes of the Y travel, but it's better than what it was. The thrust and roller bearings plus the brass jibs help a lot. I'll have to post up the treadmill mod when I get a moment, it's really transformative even just for drilling holes. Going from 250rpm for a countersink to 1500rpm for a small drill is just a twist of the dial.

[PJs]

Thanks for the Pics. Excellent idea for the cutter and pretty simple to make. Did you use TCMT inserts for it? I get it about the XY vice. Usually the gibs are made from beer cans and never straight or flat. Interesting that you put thrust and rollers on it. I would imagine it's at least 80% better than it was. It's a ton of work to get the kinks out of some of that stuff.

Thanks Much and look forward to your next posts. ~PJ

[DIYer]

Thanks mattthemuppet! We've added your QCTP Holders to our Machining category,
as well as to your builder page: mattthemuppet's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

QCTP Holders by mattthemuppet

tags: holder, QCTP

[DIYer]

Thanks mattthemuppet! We've added your Cutter Holder to our Machining category,
as well as to your builder page: mattthemuppet's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Cutter Holder by mattthemuppet

tags: cutter

[DIYer]

Thanks mattthemuppet! We've added your DTI Holder to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: mattthemuppet's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

DTI Holder by mattthemuppet

tags: dial indicator, holder

[DIYer]

Thanks mattthemuppet! We've added your Cross Drilling Holder to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: mattthemuppet's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Cross Drilling Holder by mattthemuppet

tags: lathe, drilling