A & R Precision ‘Dickson’ Toolpost — Screws Used

[Gavin HParticipant @gavinh16975]

I had exactly the same problem with my recently-bought A&R toolpost. A&R told me that it was to allow for future wear but I think it's a manufacturing problem or oversight of some kind. I haven't used the toolpost as it is as it didn't feel like the toolholder was securely gripped to me.

I have one which I bought several years ago from them which I've been very happy with and the clamping position is what I would call 'right' but the new one doesn't seem to have been quite as well made (as well as the above problem). To be fair to A&R, they did offer me a refund but I'd much rather that it was right in the first place, even if that meant putting the price up a little.

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Hi Gavin,

You're right the tool holder is not gripped securely.

For it to grip securely the cam needs to be nearer to tdc

If you remove the shouldered locking bush and carefully file the inside face of the shoulder it will solve the problem. You will need to take equal amounts off both sides so check with a micrometer as you go along.

I found removing about 10 thou did the job.

This brings the 2 webs on the locking pin into a position either side of the flange on the adjusting screw and the cam to about 10-15 degrees off tdc.

You will find that the "feel" is now right with the cam "pinching" and feeling really secure.

Just make sure you don't remove too much material, check as you go along

Hope this helps best regards geoff

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

Hello all.

I bought a tool post set from A & R precision a while back, am now in need of some additional tool holders but have been unable to contact A & R either by e:mail or phone so not sure if they are still in business.

May be a difficult question to answer, but if i buy some more from say Myford, will they fit ok ?

Thanks for any help.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Posted by Brian Abbott on 10/08/2015 16:51:31:

Hello all.

I bought a tool post set from A & R precision a while back, am now in need of some additional tool holders but have been unable to contact A & R either by e:mail or phone so not sure if they are still in business.

May be a difficult question to answer, but if i buy some more from say Myford, will they fit ok ?

Thanks for any help.

Hmm that's bizarre, I too have recently tried to contact them with no success in regards to buying some of their excellent quality tooling as they did not email me as arranged.

I'm pretty sure the Myford ones are made shall we say 'out east' so you would need to buy one for a fit check, many other 3rd part sellers also supply these at maybe a better price/

Tony

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

A&R holders were made to "old" Myford standard requirements and are certainly fully interchangeable with the Myford Dixon toolposts I have along with many holders, old and new A&R. "New" Myford are well aware of the required standard and the old far east versions procured by the other company would not be a good idea.

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

Well I've waited a while, but still have not been able to make contact with A & R about these tool holders so guess I will have to chance my luck,

Does anyone know if the ones sold by Myford are the same as sold by Rdg tools ?

Edited By Brian Abbott on 08/09/2015 23:20:48

Edited By Brian Abbott on 08/09/2015 23:30:09

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi Brian,

I have an A&R QCTP and couldn't get a response from A&R either.

I took a punt and bought some genuine standard Myford toolholders and they fit perfectly straight off.

They have slightly thicker lower shelves but not excessively so and I can still use 3/8" tooling on my ML7.

I bought some from Chronos and these were pretty poor but have no experience of the RDG ones.

HTH

Jon

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Brian A,

As the same family now own "new" Myford and RGD I would suggest that they are well aware of the required standards as regards sizing and interchangeability. You could always ask the question directly.

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

KWIL

Good point but I guess RDG source their cheaper ones from a similar Far Eastern source as Chronos.

Perhaps someone from RDG could confirm?

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

Thanks all for your reply’s
I as with many people just want to be able to purchase a quality product and as such are prepared to pay a little extra for that.
I will order a couple from Myford and see how I get on.
Thanks.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Copied from this Forum 31/10/2011. FYI

 

"Hi Folks,

 

Just a very quick line to share with you, the fact that, in the aftermath of the MYFORD liquidation, it transpires that a firm called A & R Precision Ltd was producing a quantity of Dickson type tool posts and holders for Myford, unfortunatly for A&R, Myford went into liquidation before they were delivered.

 

A & R are now selling this stock at very reasonable prices and whats even better is the fact that these are BRITISH MADE to Myfords own spec.

 

They are charging just £65 for a tool post and holders + spanner

 

and only £48 for 4 tool holders.

 

A & R CAN BE CONTACTED AT darenlynam@btconnect.com

 

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR, I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THIS COMPANY. I AM SIMPLY A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER AND BELIEVE YOU COULD BE TOO."

Signed by an OP

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi KWIL,

Thanks but the trouble is that information is long out of date IMHO.

I bought a QCTP and holders last year from A&R but haven't seen anything on ebay since then or had responses to phone calls or emails.

Jon

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

Same here, last contact i had was in February, real shame.
Hopefully they will be back on the seen soon.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

According to companies house, A&R Precision went into voluntary liquidation in July 2015.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Jon,

Main intent was to show that the design standards were the correct ones. Shame they apparently have not survived, just goes to show if you do not use UK manufacturing suppliers you loose them. Hence far east ****

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Posted by David Jupp on 09/09/2015 16:41:16:

According to companies house, A&R Precision went into voluntary liquidation in July 2015.

Oh that's not good! I was waiting for an email from A & R to let me know when new parts were on sale but that's not going to happen now.

I have personally purchased the tool post & tool holders from RDG & they are in my opinion not the best of quality, not sure if the 'Myford' ones are any better?

Tony

[Steamer1915Participant @steamer1915]

Posted by David Jupp on 09/09/2015 16:41:16:

According to companies house, A&R Precision went into voluntary liquidation in July 2015.

That is a real shame. I bought a batch of toolholders from them and they were excellent quality.

Steve.

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

Quick report back.

Bought a couple of tool holders from Myford, quality seems excellent and fit perfectly, so much so that i would say they are better than the A & R tool holders, anyhow, there you go..

Cheers..

[GrottoParticipant @grotto]

Rather disappointing A&R are not around anymore.

I seriously underestimated how many holders you can need when I bought a tool post from them and now to get some more.

Does anyone know what size the A&R Dixon style tool posts are? I'm trying to track down some holders out here in New Zealand, but am not sure on the size (I think it's S00).

Other option is to get some from Myford or RDG (not sure if RDG ones fit).

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

I have 4 A&R, a Bison and a 3 Warco holders and they all work well with my Bison toolpost.

The cam rotation does vary more so on the Warco holders but they are all too thick rather than to thin so could be fettled to fit better – importantly they've never let go or even worked loose, including the Warco parting blade holder which has seen some scary moments parting 60mm EN24T

Edited By Russ B on 02/10/2015 12:40:09

[Gordon Smith 1Participant @gordonsmith1]

The Rotagrip website gives all the dimensions for the Dickson and Bison versions of the toolpost and holders.

[GrottoParticipant @grotto]

Thanks, I'm guessing it's Type T00M. Rotagrip quote 58mm across by 37mm high. Mine is 56.5mm by 35mm. Also Rotagrip give measurement "A" as 48mm mine is 44.3mm.

I may try eith Myford or RDG holders (RDG seem much cheaper-reflection of quality?). Locally the seem to be around NZ$100 (40 pounds) each which will limit the number I can afford.

I'll check a couple of other places here in case they have better prices, as it would be good to know they fit well.

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

I must be one of the few people who were unhappy with A & R.

I bought a tool post and 4 holders from them last year. With the holder in place the locking position on the cam was a long way off being right. It was only after fettling the shoulders on the clamping bush (if that's what it's called) that I got the clamping position feeling right i.e. you could feel the cam pinching securely.

They now work fine but it took a couple of hours to get there.

With the above in mind I think there are always likely to be problems with any mix and match from different makers.

As a footnote I must be one of the few people who have not taken the Dickson tool post, I don't really like the system and as such I rarely use it, Much prefer the quick setting norman tool posts on my M type.

[GrottoParticipant @grotto]

My A&R holders seem to fit well with he tool post, maybe I'm just lucky, or possibly their standards slipped before they went into receivership (I bought mine a couple of years ago, although only recently got it).

I see RDG now have holders which will drop lower than the the Myford/A&R ones. I may try one of those as I have a few tools which fit in the standard holders, but won't drop low enough to get tip at centre height (been grinding a few mm off the bottom of the tools).

RDG said they were not familiar with the A&R tool posts so couldn't confirm their holders would fit. It's a bit of a hassle as I can't check (being in NZ).

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