Keep the shims with each tool, or set up the tools so they don't need shims that's my answer, you need max rigidity rather than high speed tool changing, it's a hobby not an industry.

Ian S C

Hallo Keith,

I use on my SD 300 / MD 65 a system similar to the folowing

**LINK**

you have to downlod the "Katalog" with download and on page 34 there is Elmars System. My system is similar ,but I do not know where I have bought it. As I remember it was a competitor of him ,but he is out of service.

Proxxon the former dealer in west germany of the hobbymat have a smaller system .

Please look at this **LINK**

Please look to the middle of these page **LINK**

there are universal tool posts.

I have my SD 300 converted to a 3 phase motor with inverter. This was a big step forward in useage. With the fastes gear with 1400 rpm motor and the inverter you can cut threads from M3 without breaking the thread drill.

The lucky sad story was the single phase motor shut down after 35 years of service and that forced me to use rge 3 phase setup.

I hope that help.

Werner

+1 for cheapo feeler gauge sets.

Each tool lives with it's correct shims.

ATB,

Daniel

"Band-it" strapping (the metal straps used for packages) are a good source of shim material. Keep a few pieces near your lathe and you can always fine one. You can also glue them to the underside of your cutters for a semi-permanent solution for setting cutter height.

I use a Tangential Tool from Eccentric Engineering (advertisement to the right of this page) for the vast majority of my lathework and have done since the very early days of my modelling "career". No shims required and sharpening HSS bits is easy using the jig supplied.

For my small boring bar I made an aluminium carrier which is kept with the bar ready for use.

On the odd occasion I need shims I use metal packaging strapping and, for fine adjustments, cut up drink cans.

Jim

Edited By Jim Nic on 13/09/2018 10:24:45