First project. New tool post needed but which ? and …

This topic has 13 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 30 July 2026 at 22:58 by howardb.

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25 November 2023 at 18:24 #693861
wayne ollerenshaw
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@wayneollerenshaw89933
Hi again all.

A couple things i want to make to start off. Being a new tool post as i broke this one

Easiest to make a copy of this one, just a billet needed.

Or get a Hemingway kit and make a quick change one. Only thing is this is my first project. I have looked at a few other tool holders but this seems good.

https://www.hemingwaykits.com/HK1100

Just unsure about machining it to fit my lathe as in enough to get the the lower part that sits in the bed for the pivoting of the tool post.

Or do i make a ring that can fix to the bottom of the Hemingway tool post?

Besides that, which is needed as you can see. A good knurling tool, i like the Hemingway Sensitive Knurling Tool.

https://www.hemingwaykits.com/knurling-tools

Any other good kits that anybody knows of ?
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25 November 2023 at 18:55 #693864
Mike Hurley
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@mikehurley60381
Hemingway kit is very good generally. As you mention ‘first project ‘ do I assume limited experience? If so, you might find the qctp a bit difficult, personally I would get the basic toolpost copied first so you can get more experience. QCTP need to be machined very accurately, if not you may end up with all manner of problems.

For basic machining you wouldn’t normally be changing tools often anyway.

RDG do a good range ready made at reasonable prices you may like to consider as an option. ( I have no connection with RDG other than owning a set which I’m very happy with)

Regards Mike
25 November 2023 at 19:57 #693872
wayne ollerenshaw
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@wayneollerenshaw89933
On 25 November 2023 at 18:55 Mike Hurley Said:

Hemingway kit is very good generally. As you mention ‘first project ‘ do I assume limited experience? If so, you might find the qctp a bit difficult, personally I would get the basic toolpost copied first so you can get more experience. QCTP need to be machined very accurately, if not you may end up with all manner of problems.

For basic machining you wouldn’t normally be changing tools often anyway.

RDG do a good range ready made at reasonable prices you may like to consider as an option. ( I have no connection with RDG other than owning a set which I’m very happy with)

Regards Mike

I think i agree. Go for same holder. been reading up. I am confident with the machining, but as you say, can be difficult and i dont want to mess up with first main project.

And i see an excuse to buy this £60 Rotary table which i will need for the bearing locator. Altough just lost the bloody ball bearing.

So £20 for a billet for the tool post and then £60 for the Rotary table. not bad to get two bits in one.
26 November 2023 at 08:46 #693903
Chris Crew
Participant
@chriscrew66644
Although it was designed specifically for a Myford I am sure that the Radford quick change toolpost design can be adapted for any lathe by tweaking the dimensions. It would make a good first project and is more convenient to use than any proprietary type available. I made one and 16 tool holders and it has hardly ever been off the lathe since.
26 November 2023 at 09:22 #693911
Diogenes
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@diogenes
Redundant Post
26 November 2023 at 13:30 #694073
wayne ollerenshaw
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@wayneollerenshaw89933
On 26 November 2023 at 08:46 Chris Crew Said:

Although it was designed specifically for a Myford I am sure that the Radford quick change toolpost design can be adapted for any lathe by tweaking the dimensions. It would make a good first project and is more convenient to use than any proprietary type available. I made one and 16 tool holders and it has hardly ever been off the lathe since.

I have googled for a Radford quick change tool post but unable to find anything. Is there a type/spec to look for ?
26 November 2023 at 14:54 #694136
Thor 🇳🇴
Participant
@thor
Hi Wayne,

I made a simple tool post for use as a rear tool post, see here. HTH

Thor
26 November 2023 at 16:07 #694158
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
For the time being I would remove the broken setscrew and replace and then use the 2 sides you have for now, plan B would be to make a new steel top. The missing ball can be easily replaced, any bearing specialist keeps them, might even give you one. Good luck. Noel.
27 November 2023 at 07:53 #694304
Chris Crew
Participant
@chriscrew66644
“I have googled for a Radford quick change tool post but unable to find anything. Is there a type/spec to look for ?”

It’s described in the compendium of Radford’s designs, “Improvements and Accessories for Your Lathe”, available from TEE Publishing.
30 July 2026 at 11:24 #858504
PutneyChap
Participant
@putneychap
Old thread – I am consdering Radford quick change toolpost for the super 7 – I like the dowls to align – great repeatable acuracy – did you draw it up? – His book is a little ‘grainy’. Also – any issues you found with his design, in use
30 July 2026 at 12:36 #858517
JA
Participant
@ja
I would suggest a wooden table/bridge to put over the bed ways to protected them when changing chucks and heavy tooling. Then make a lathe tool height setting gauge, just a length of bar partly turned back to give the correct height, or even just an indication, of a cutting tool.

Then correct the tool post.

JA
30 July 2026 at 13:19 #858525
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Old thread warning, please read Putney Chap’s post rather than reply to the old original topic.
30 July 2026 at 20:26 #858608
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
According to this thread..

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/topic/quick-change-tool-post-10/

…J A Radford’s design was covered in ME Vol 136 no.3406.. ..Looks like that’s Dec. 1970..
30 July 2026 at 22:58 #858627
howardb
Participant
@howardb
Looking at the cost of a Hemingway kit to make a knurling tool, (supplied without knurling wheels)plus the cost of fine straight fine and coarse diamond wheels which will set you back £132.47 +postage, I personally think this is excessive.

https://www.hemingwaykits.com/HK1110

Whereas RDG sell a perfectly usable knurling tool complete with wheels and spare coarse wheels for an offer price of £28.50 inc vat + postage.

https://www.rdgtools.co.uk/product/industrial-knurling-tool-with-coarse-wheels/
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