Quick tool holder review - "German" style

[Newton]

Well, I posted for some time back a question about the difference between the
different tool holders, "German", "Italian" and the likes.

I have now got a "German" version on a lathe I have available (not my own)
and I thought I would like to share some of the experience with the installation
and first look.

I shot 7 pics and I'll try to comment each and conclude at the bottom:

This pic:
The greased setup in it's delivery box. Not very impressive at first sight but
pretty darn heavy...

 

[Newton]

Packed out and ready for degreasing.

 

[Newton]

Degreased and assembled to see how it worked out.

 

[Newton]

Holders for the tools.
These where very rigid stuff and heavy as well.
Also these where degreased and inspected.

 

[Newton]

Old setup.

Well, here is how the normal setup was mounted.
Really a pain in a certain place and I simply hate those shims....

 

[Newton]

Mounted on the lathe.

The ID on the new main body of the QC tool holder was to narrow to be
mounted on the top slide. Before this pic was shot, I had to make a larger
ID on the main body (the corrugated round barrel) - from 20mm to 26mm.

 

[Newton]

Also, the tool holder it self is new together with those "bit's" we discussed earlier for Alu.
They looked very sharp and the white "dot" is just a pice of paper after I cleaned them.

 

[Newton]

Conclusion

This was installed tonight and I have not done any test on the lathe with the
setup yet. However, the first impression is VERY good....

1:The change of tools is very simple. There is no struggle and the system
seems very sturdy.

2: Changing angle is so easy that it did put a smile on my face. Just lift up the
tool holder, rotate the main body and remount the tool holder and you're done.

3: Method mentioned in 2 was used to dial in the zero difference in height
between the rotating center and the tools. This was very simple and was done
in no time. Note this was done with the rotating center in the tailstock so
I had to rotate the tool holder to the right to get the right hand cutter to add
up to the center. Very easy.

I would do some test tomorrow working with a OB shaft repair and I'll give a
feedback about vibrations and the like. However I can't understand that this
should be a problem. Actually I had problems with this with the original
setup when I did work on metal.

This setup impressed me and I have ordered the same type (but not brand)
for my private lathe.

Hope it helped.

Kent

 

[rhncue]

This was installed tonight and I have not done any test on the lathe with the
setup yet. However, the first impression is VERY good....

1:The change of tools is very simple. There is no struggle and the system
seems very sturdy.

2: Changing angle is so easy that it did put a smile on my face. Just lift up the
tool holder, rotate the main body and remount the tool holder and you're done.

3: Method mentioned in 2 was used to dial in the zero difference in height
between the rotating center and the tools. This was very simple and was done
in no time. Note this was done with the rotating center in the tailstock so
I had to rotate the tool holder to the right to get the right hand cutter to add
up to the center. Very easy.

I would do some test tomorrow working with a OB shaft repair and I'll give a
feedback about vibrations and the like. However I can't understand that this
should be a problem. Actually I had problems with this with the original
setup when I did work on metal.

This setup impressed me and I have ordered the same type (but not brand)
for my private lathe.

Hope it helped.

Kent

Looks like a very solid system but I bet it's pretty expensive also. I would be interested in how well it works although I'm sure that I can't afford it. On your last posting I found a Chinese one and it was to pricey for me so I can only imagine what a European one would cost.

Dick

 

[RocketQ]

Newton. That is an awesome system. You will be extremely happy with the repeatability and accuracy between tool changes. DRO and programmed tools is the next I would guess. I have used that set up before. The ability to index each tool without loosening the post is a great feature. However like Dick said she no cheap.... Good luck..

 

[Newton]

Sorry Dick and John,

Have been working like a whipped horse and have not been able to check
what we payed for these. I would post the price for you so you could
compare in you're end and I would also give you a feedback on my experiences.

But that would be tomorrow - to tired now :boring2:

Regards
Kent

 

[Newton]

Local Prices

Well, I did check up what we payed for these devices and the prices was as follows :

The main body (the barrel look a like) as shown in it's paperbox : $570

Each tool holder: $160 each

I'm not sure how these compares to you're local prices in the US?

Our currency is suffering big time these day's so if it was last summer the prices would have been $790 and $220/each.

I have done a quick test of the setup during a shaft repair and it was very nice to work with.
As mentioned, very easy to change tools and adjusting.
The work was of course not any heavy duty metal work, so I'm not sure about
vibrations and the like for harder work.

EDIT: I'm not sure what my system would cost, but it's for sure cheaper than the one we have at work (reviewed)
and it would be supplied with the late - hopefully mounted and tuned to go.

Kent

 

[Newton]

Here is the same stuff in you're end:
http://www.emachinetool.com/accessories/catalog/large.cfm?OptionFamilyID=296

Kent