QCTP Quick Change Tool Post size for taig based lathes (hightower & midamerica)?

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Morning all! Was wondering if there is a toolpost size thats preferred because it lends itself to flexibility of attatchments. Ex. little machine shop qctp has a "OXA" which is 60% of an "AXA" size. Just trying to see what sized are preferred for running router mounts/ex tapering, and other accessories. Any input would be appreciated.

Currently building (trying) on a midamerica pro w/large bore headstock 2/ an "el cheapo" qctp from amazon. and a little machine shop qctp on my microii 4500 taig (for smaller ops)

Please and thank you in advanced!
 
OXA is the one you want. I modified mine and put two cross slides together to get more travel. Your travel will be limited with a QCTP on a Taig based lathe
 
Dave38 said:
OXA and get the steel QCTP body and steel toolholders... You will regret getting the cheap aluminum ones, IMO. Littlemachineshop.com is the best place to get them.
Dave
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agreed. might give my cheapie tool post to the small parts lathe and switch the LMS tool post to the cue lathe. Just didnt know if i should get a bigger size.
 
I haven't had any experience using a steel toolpost on a Taig carriage yet. Is the weight not an issue? I have an old A2Z that I use on my Hightower occasionally that does the job,but also fits my Enco with just a bolt swap,but planning on getting an 0XA for the Enco to add knurling capability for joint protectors. My only concern other than the maybe a weight issue is these sets come with a 3/8 to 1/2 shank boring bar,so I'll have to find a way to use those 1/4 shank Micro 100 boring bars we all like.

How many of you are having to use the riser it comes with,and if you are do you have to mod it? Tommy D.
 
Tommy-D said:
I haven't had any experience using a steel toolpost on a Taig carriage yet. Is the weight not an issue? I have an old A2Z that I use on my Hightower occasionally that does the job,but also fits my Enco with just a bolt swap,but planning on getting an 0XA for the Enco to add knurling capability for joint protectors. My only concern other than the maybe a weight issue is these sets come with a 3/8 to 1/2 shank boring bar,so I'll have to find a way to use those 1/4 shank Micro 100 boring bars we all like.

How many of you are having to use the riser it comes with,and if you are do you have to mod it? Tommy D.
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On my deluxe, I added a riser(the base from a Todd Schultz router mount) and it works just fine....much more robust and solid than the A2Z aluminum post that I had before. There is no weight issue that I have seen, it's been a few years of using it. I bought extra regular tool holders...like 12 of them, for 2 setups and the micro boring bars fit just fine. Don't have a pic right now, but trust me, it will be great.
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that
 
Dave38 said:
On my deluxe, I added a riser(the base from a Todd Schultz router mount) and it works just fine....much more robust and solid than the A2Z aluminum post that I had before. There is no weight issue that I have seen, it's been a few years of using it. I bought extra regular tool holders...like 12 of them, for 2 setups and the micro boring bars fit just fine. Don't have a pic right now, but trust me, it will be great.
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that
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Can you measure the thickness of the riser? I want to make one. Also, how is the stud mounted to the rise? Tapped?

Thx,

Phil
 
pip9ball said:
Can you measure the thickness of the riser? I want to make one. Also, how is the stud mounted to the rise? Tapped?

Thx,

Phil
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Phil, the thickness is .500" and it is tapped, I believe it was metric thread, but don't quote me on that. The main reason I used the mount base from Todd, was the mount holes were already drilled and locating studs stop the riser from twisting under load.
 
Thanks for the information! I might just go ahead and do the same and get a mount from Todd.

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pip9ball said:
Thanks for the information! I might just go ahead and do the same and get a mount from Todd.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
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Just as a side note, I already had the mount that wasn't being used, so I used the base, You can make the same if you can cut the 1/2" aluminum.
 
Thanks! I also see you've mounted an scale to your carriage.....do you have any more pics or information on that?

-Phil
 
Dave,
They have quite few different OXA model on Littlemachineshop.com. Which one works best on a midamerica large bore? Is there any difference from the one Cueman sells? I have the cheapo aluminum mini qctp that works but could be better.

Thanks
 

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Ok, if you look at the pictures of all of them, it is the same unit, 3900-5460, just with different mount options depending on your lathe. I would give them a call, but know how you are mounting it first, and they should hook you up. You will probably need to make a riser to set it at the right height. As far as what Chris carries, I have no idea.
Dave
 
Just ordered a large bore midamerica again to repair the cues at my clubhouse(Sold all my stuff and retired)
Bought a qctp at amazon and made the base from the square washers made for unistruts ( 3 bucks for a pack of 5 at local Lowes)
Drilled 4 holes to mount to carriage and tapped the center hole 7/16 x14
Had the machine scews,nuts and bolt laying around so all it cost was time
 
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