What a marvelous mine of information and stimulus HMEM is!
Before becoming an HMEM member I hadn't encountered the idea of Quick Change Tool Posts and so calmly accepted the time needed to change tools in the one place post that came with my lathe when I bought it in 1985. I had encountered four and three place holders and indeed had designed a three placer (based on a design published by Chris Healy) and even purchased a suitable slice of metal from a 100mm diameter bar. But I hadn't started any real work. Now, stimulated by the enthusiasm of many HMEM posts, I've decided to build a QCTP. My design is based on the design by Nifty, with minor modifications to adapt to the dimensions of my lathe and to the material I have. I have uploaded the drawings as two pdf files into HMEM's Download section : title is "My QCTP". Any comments and suggestions will be very welcome. In particular I am wondering what material to use for the Pistons? My stomach says bronze? The other parts will be machined from what is called in Italy AVP - a (very) mild steel with small amount of lead.
I have no milling machine and so all machining will be done on my lathe. The attached photo shows my lathe setup for milling. I have to live with limited Y and Z excursions of 100mm and 60mm. The vertical slide is simply the compound slide of the lathe mounted on an angle plate. The machine vice can be mounted either vertically or horizontally.
Before becoming an HMEM member I hadn't encountered the idea of Quick Change Tool Posts and so calmly accepted the time needed to change tools in the one place post that came with my lathe when I bought it in 1985. I had encountered four and three place holders and indeed had designed a three placer (based on a design published by Chris Healy) and even purchased a suitable slice of metal from a 100mm diameter bar. But I hadn't started any real work. Now, stimulated by the enthusiasm of many HMEM posts, I've decided to build a QCTP. My design is based on the design by Nifty, with minor modifications to adapt to the dimensions of my lathe and to the material I have. I have uploaded the drawings as two pdf files into HMEM's Download section : title is "My QCTP". Any comments and suggestions will be very welcome. In particular I am wondering what material to use for the Pistons? My stomach says bronze? The other parts will be machined from what is called in Italy AVP - a (very) mild steel with small amount of lead.
I have no milling machine and so all machining will be done on my lathe. The attached photo shows my lathe setup for milling. I have to live with limited Y and Z excursions of 100mm and 60mm. The vertical slide is simply the compound slide of the lathe mounted on an angle plate. The machine vice can be mounted either vertically or horizontally.