Quick Change Tool Post - Wedge, "German" or "Italian" style?

[Newton]

Yeah, that can't be cheap

..
Let us know what size tooling you can use on that one (1/2", 5/8" or 3/4") and aprox. $.
Looks like a nice unit.

Regards,
Frank

I have just ended the meeting with the reseller and it looks to be some beefy stuff this...The "brand" is the original Multifix Suisse company which made these 40 years back in time and is as far as I understand "top notch".

The ones I have looked at is not the one I pictured earlier, which was cut'n paste from our lathe manufacturer.

Price wise I think the link Dick has given must be some cheap Chinese stuff.

I expect that the holder (the main unit with the lock/release "gearshift") would be close to $8-900 and each tool holder would be in the $100-150 range.

The cool thing was that each tool holder could be adjusted in height so I don't need those wedges when setting up the tools (in the rotating tool changer used now. Really not a health and safety recommended setup!!).

EDIT: Forgot to mention that there is special tool holders for circular tools so these are perfectly adjusted and held in place.

There is a lot of different dimensions on each tool holder so it "chews" pretty much whichever tool you throw at it :wink:

But not cheap..

Regards
Kent

 

[Poulos Cues]

"...the cool thing was that each tool holder could be adjusted in height so I don't need those wedges when setting up the tools (in the rotating tool changer used now. Really not a health and safety recommended setup!!).

Actually, both PHASE II and ALORIS holders can and do adjust in height. There is a knurled washer that you turn to get the tool at the correct height and then lock down with the nut. This is where the different pressures when tightening the handle can mess with you along with how high you drop the holder down on the post before locking it down.

Far as I can tell, the pison type puts center-outward pressure against the holder to hold it tight.

The wedge-type has a tapered wedge that tightens on one side of the holder. Must be better because more surface area on the dovetails are covered and held more accuracly/repeatability? If I remember correctly, they are more rigid than the piston type as well.

-Chris

 

[RRfireblade]

Actually, both PHASE II and ALORIS holders can and do adjust in height. There is a knurled washer that you turn to get the tool at the correct height and then lock down with the nut. This is where the different pressures when tightening the handle can mess with you along with how high you drop the holder down on the post before locking it down.

Far as I can tell, the pison type puts center-outward pressure against the holder to hold it tight.

The wedge-type has a tapered wedge that tightens on one side of the holder. Must be better because more surface area on the dovetails are covered and held more accuracly/repeatability? If I remember correctly, they are more rigid than the piston type as well.

-Chris

That's correct. The piston type pushes the holder away from the base. The amount that it does so will vary from holder to holder , can change with the amount of force used and/or the amount of flex in the holder and change as the parts wear. Also he holder 'may' rock on the dovetail and settle in different spots each time , especially as the parts wear.

The wedge style pulls the holder into the base and up against the faces of each part. That final position pretty much won't ever change regardless of factors lists and makes for a far more ridge (in extreme cases) union of the 2 pieces.

 

[Newton]

Actually, both PHASE II and ALORIS holders can and do adjust in height. There is a knurled washer that you turn to get the tool at the correct height and then lock down with the nut. This is where the different pressures when tightening the handle can mess with you along with how high you drop the holder down on the post before locking it down.

Far as I can tell, the pison type puts center-outward pressure against the holder to hold it tight.

The wedge-type has a tapered wedge that tightens on one side of the holder. Must be better because more surface area on the dovetails are covered and held more accuracly/repeatability? If I remember correctly, they are more rigid than the piston type as well.

-Chris

Thank's Chris for the feedback.

The unit I have shown which looks like the V type/German is for use as mentioned at work where we do mostly POM work. And money wise, I would for sure not start spending these type of money on a QCTP, heck I have not even managed to decide which lathe I should buy for my pool work:banghead:

I have seen the wedge setup already installed on some of the lathes I have checked out and they look pretty beefy as well.

Kent

 

[Newton]

The wedge style pulls the holder into the base and up against the faces of each part. That final position pretty much won't ever change regardless of factors lists and makes for a far more ridge (in extreme cases) union of the 2 pieces.

Thank's a BUNCH !!! That is really valuable info :clapping:

Kent

 

[Newton]

Example of wedge version on lathe

This is a wedge mounted on a lathe I have looked at. I was impressed by the size of the handle to release the tool holder...

K