QCTP for WM290V

[Steven ShandParticipant @stevenshand77617]

Hi, I've just picked up a new WM290V lathe from Warco and I'd like to fit a QCTP. There seem to be a lot of different versions/sizes out there. Can anyone give a quick summary of what might work best for this lathe and what machining (if any) will need to be done.

Thanks

[Steven ShandParticipant @stevenshand77617]

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Hi Steven,

Welcome to the forum. Warco sells several different QCTP's, have you asked them? On my 290 lathe I use this QCTP, a friend got a good price many years ago. I have made some extra toolholders.

Thor

Edited By Thor 🇳🇴 on 13/09/2022 13:56:44

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Warco sell a "Dickson" style QCTP, but unfortunately they don't seem to be made to the same tolerances as genuine Dickson QCTP's. Despite being sold as "fantastic quality QCTP's".

I've have several tool holders that don't clamp-up properly. I suspect the build-up of tolerances between the tool post, the top hat clamp, the cam and the tool holder are to blame.

Strategically placed shims in the tool holder fixes the problem. I guess, as always, you get what you pay for.

[Steven ShandParticipant @stevenshand77617]

Thanks for the feedback. I was aware of the Warco one but had heard they weren't great quality.

I was thinking about something like this and machining a new stud. I'm also not sure of the advantages of the wedge type or the piston type.

I guess I'm not sure what is out there and if there's anything that requires minimal modification to work.

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

My first QCTP was of the piston type. I found, like Bo'sun, that the toolholders didn't fit very well and would even work loose while in use. I eventually fixed this problem by making new pistons, but was never really happy with it. I replaced it with a wedge-type from Arc See here. I have found it to be far superior to the previous type, just be sure you get the right size. I went for the smaller 250-000 size for my Asian 9×20 clone lathe and that is more than adequate for my needs. Additional toolholders also seem to have a consistently good fit, too. There are a number of forum members who run the same lathe as you and will be able give specific guidance. You'll pay a bit more, perhaps, but in my opinion, the extra outlay is well worth it.

John

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Posted by Bo'sun on 14/09/2022 10:37:59:

Warco sell a "Dickson" style QCTP, but unfortunately they don't seem to be made to the same tolerances as genuine Dickson QCTP's. Despite being sold as "fantastic quality QCTP's".

fan·tas·tic

[fanˈtastɪk]

ADJECTIVE

1. informal

   extraordinarily good or attractive:

   "they did a fantastic job" ·

   [More]

   synonyms:

   tremendous · remarkable · great · terrific · enormous · huge · striking ·

   [More]

   • of an extraordinary size or degree:

     "she had spent a fantastic amount of cash"

2. imaginative or fanciful; remote from reality:

   "fantastic hybrid creatures"

   synonyms:

   fanciful · extravagant · extraordinary · irrational · wild · mad · absurd ·

   [More]

   • (of an object) seeming more appropriate to the imagination than to reality; strange or exotic:

So, in this case the 2nd meaning may well apply.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Welcome to the forum Steven. No good asking me for advice about which QCTP to buy because I get on perfectly well with the conventional 4-way toolpost my WM280 came with!

Before lashing out money that might be better spent elsewhere, are you sure you need a QCTP? I ask because quite a few beginners see them as desirable accessories without having sussed out the pros and cons. The money might be better spent on a DRO, materials or other more essential accessories such as a pair of Lever and Push Dial Indicators and a magnetic stand. There's no shortage of things to spend money on!

Eight years ago I decided to stick with the 4-way until it was obvious I needed a QCTP. Not happened yet! Of course much depends on what the lathe is used for. QCTPs pay-off when the work requires rapid changes of HSS tooling. They're less valuable when HSS tools are swapped infrequently, and barely useful if the lathe is operated with carbide inserts and pre-sized shims.

Dave

[Steven ShandParticipant @stevenshand77617]

Thanks SOD. Just to clarify, I'm not a beginner. I've been working around machines for years. I've recently stepped back from my regular job and I'm re-equipping my home workshop so I can spend more time there. The type of work I do does lend itself to fast setups and I've found a QCTP really useful in the other machines I've had and used through the years. The last lathe I had any real time on was bought with QCTP so I've never really had to see what's out there.

[JellyParticipant @jelly]

I would seriously consider a Multi-Fix style QCTP in your position.

I always thought they were a bit of a gimmick (and would never have bought one for that reason) until I just so happened to buy a lathe which was already fitted with one…

I wouldn't go back to a Dixon/Dickson or Aloris style QCTP now, the Multi-Fix system is more convenient, more rigid, more repeatable, and more flexible; the only downside is not being able to machine your own holders easily.

.

Chronos sell reasonable facsimiles of the Size A and Size E versions (Multi-Fix sizes are complicated) of the toolpost with holders for a very good price.

Pewe-Tools (one of several vendors of Multi-Fix style systems) has a handy sizing guide.

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