Norman,
With regard to packing, my two 4 way posts (front and Rear ) carry the tools that I use most often. Each tool is carried in a thick packer, augmented by shims, to fine tune the tool to centre height, by setting to my centre height gauge, allowing me a choice of 6 tools be used. Occasionally, one will be removed for a less frequently used tool, such as knurling.
It is rare to be able to mount 4 tools on a 4 way. Mine carry, in the Front, Boring bar, Rougher, and Finisher.
Rear: Front chamfer, Parting, and Back chamfer.
In the main, we are hobbyists, producing small volumes, so presumably are spared the time pressures which drive a piece worker who is working for their living, to mass produce, where time is money.
I chose to stick with 4 ways, one of the reasons being lack of space to store the multitude of tool holders, most of which would spend the majority of their time on the shelf.
Not everyone enjoys the facilities that I do. By the same token, there are others whose workshops are better equipped than mine.
Each to whatever works best for them. One man's meat and all that.
Howard
odd! words that I did not split were!
Edited By Howard Lewis on 03/10/2019 15:59:25
Edited By Howard Lewis on 03/10/2019 16:00:07
Edited By Howard Lewis on 03/10/2019 16:03:20