Not a lot you can do about it with a conventional QC tool post system. Overhung tool, round the corner load transfer and relatively inefficient part turn wedging fastenings rather than conceptually more secure screw threads are inherent and inescapable features of the concept. As ever with effective devices correct component selection and proper installation allow you to engineer your way round flawed concepts but objectively its less than ideal.

Choose a good quality toolpost of the correct size and you should be fine, My practice is to set the top slide at around 25 – 26° offset from parallel to the cross slide. This improves the load path via the gibs. The common practice of setting top slide parallel to the cross slide puts a primarily rocking couple via the dovetails into the cutting load paths. Setting at a shallow angle gives a more direct path for a significant portion of the loads. It also reduces direct loading on the screw, offsets the slide handles so the don't get in each others way, which can be very important on small lathes, and is ready for screw cutting duties if you use the zero-2-zero method. Win-win-win-win arrangement.

A QD two way block system will give a more direct load path but, for some reason, such devices never caught on commercially. Pretty easy to DIY if you can come up with a simple part turn release device to hold the block down via the tool post stud instead of the usual nut. An interrupted thread, breech block style would work. I proposed a rotating stud cross drilled for a tommy bar arranged to engage in a castellated hollow nut screwed into the tool block in my design. Never built due to changing lathes and obtaining an adequate number of Dickson posts and holders along the way.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 11/07/2017 22:31:14

DO NOT limit yourself to a couple of holders. Buy 5 holders as a minimum because when you try to buy extra ones, you find that they don't always match up. You need 1 x LH, 1 x RH, 1 x Boring, 1 x Parting, 1 x Threading. Then you can think about another for Internal threading, and another for chamfers – the list WILL go On and on and on.
BobH on a Boxford

I use a Dickson clone on my Super 7, with a second for the rear tool post, it's the best thing I've done with the lathe after the 1Hp 3 Phase motor with VFD and the proper DRO with 200 individual tool zero settings.

8mm reductions on 30mm stainless bar with blue chips flying, it's definitely rigid enough.

– Nick

Unless you have a carrage hand wheel that does not give much feel and makes it hard to put on the desired cut in which case a parallel topslide will give you easier control of the cut to hit the number you want on the DRO

Edited By JasonB on 18/07/2017 13:59:29