trying for an elegant and effective quick change tool post

[Shade Tree Welder]

Why not just machine a standard dovetail?

[dubby]

At the point of moving that t-nut out of the holder, I'd say the same thing about the dovetail. It kind of made sense on the holder itself, you'd only need to machine so much of each holder to make the nut fit. To machine the entire post for adjustability there's a lot of extra machining in there.

If you were going to that extreme, why not just mill the holder to fit directly in the slot in the post and call it good without the rods?

As to locking things down in any of your designs, I'd consider looking at some of the already made posts that use the internal cam to lock the holders. Sure would be easier than fussing with a bolt that has to go all the way through a holder, and it could be placed along the centerline of the tool post mounting bolt. Nothing would be offset that way.

[Cavalry]

Originally Posted by LKeithR

I guess it depends on your point of view. Some of us have the time and inclination to make our own tools; some of us don't. Since I'm still working I want to maximize the time I spend making saleable chips.

Me too. Most of us here are fully capable of making a toolpost. But when you can buy something like a PhaseII wedge for not all that much and be making chips in 5 mins it just doent make sense.
When I first started I wanted to machine ever tool and part I could. I find myself ordering more and more ready made items.

[Cavalry]

Originally Posted by Shade Tree Welder

Why not just machine a standard dovetail?

This...

Make it based on a _XA toolpost. If you ever need a tool holder you can get what you want anywhere. If you want to make your own then there are plenty of standards out there to work off.

[Bubba]

Also you could look at this site for ideas as they have nearly every lathe described ever made on earth. I spent a few hours checking pictures..

http://www.lathes.co.uk/page21.html

[burdickjp]

Here's revision 3!

Things changed:
Tool holder is 10mm wider
8mm rod instead of 10mm rod
10mm T-slot instead of 12mm T-slot
M8 securing screw instead of M10 securing screw
Securing screw is moved closer to centerline of tool
One of the set screws is also being utilized for setting height of tool holder

Things I don't quite like:
8mm rod instead of 10mm rod
10mm T-slot instead of 12mm T-slot
M8 securing screw instead of M10 securing screw

I COULD switch to a 12mm T-slot with M8 securing screw, but I don't think that would gain me anything at all over a 10mm T-slot.

Proposed changes:
move the T-slot nut further into the tool post block to make the lips it rides on thicker. This does have the negative effect of requiring a longer screw, though, which may be more detrimental than the change would warrant.

[dubby]

You're getting further away from elegant.

Over-thinking is beginning to bite you in the hind end, lol. I drew this up real quick and it's far from any sort of scale. If you mill the t-slot in your post like you seem to be content doing, mill the opposite into your holder itself. Use a bolt of your choice to push the holder out to lock it into the channel after you've got the height set with the standard screw.

[burdickjp]

Originally Posted by dubby

You're getting further away from elegant.

Over-thinking is beginning to bite you in the hind end, lol. I drew this up real quick and it's far from any sort of scale. If you mill the t-slot in your post like you seem to be content doing, mill the opposite into your holder itself. Use a bolt of your choice to push the holder out to lock it into the channel after you've got the height set with the standard screw.

How is the holder located parallel to the face of the post block? How does it ensure repeatability in this position? How do forces transfer through the system?
A dovetail could work that way, but I don't think a T-slots would be a good answer in that manner.

[digger doug]

suggest you find someone with a quick attach system, play with that
for a little while, and actually try to machine a part with it.

Take some notes, what you like, and don't like.

You'll learn more in 15 minutes of actual hands on time
than you can sitting in front of a monitor for days on end.

[burdickjp]

Originally Posted by digger doug

suggest you find someone with a quick attach system, play with that
for a little while, and actually try to machine a part with it.

Take some notes, what you like, and don't like.

You'll learn more in 15 minutes of actual hands on time
than you can sitting in front of a monitor for days on end.

I'm not unfamiliar with them. I've used them on an irregular basis. I've just not owned one myself.