warco lathe quick change

[Craig PotterParticipant @craigpotter35892]

Hello all i purchased a warco wm 250v lathe a couple of months ago and now I am looking into getting a quick change tool post but the one they are selling on the site for the lathe seems a bit much for what you are getting, so i was wondering if anyone on here has got this lathe and what quick change post they have gotten for said lathe.

ps. what do you need to take into account when buying a tool post IE, measurements.

much appreciate the help Craig.

[Craig PotterParticipant @craigpotter35892]

quick change tool post

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

If you look at the dimensions of the block of the toolpost they recommend then you can compare it to equivalents of the Dickson type. At a guess you want the Boxford size ie next up from the Myford size. You will probably want a set of 5 toolholders minimum to start with but keep an eye on the cost of the extra holders as it can mount up.

I have noticed on site advertising a 2 holder set and a 3 holder set and the price difference was nearly £60 although the individual holders were advertised at 35 so keep your wits about you.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

I have the same lathe– having had a Drummond M before

I find that the quick change toolpost introduces loads of flexing & one can see the whole lot moving as much as 6mm which after my Drummond is a bit off putting. (On the Drummond the 4 way toolpost sat on the main carriage not on the topslide so it was very rigid). The point being that there is a lot of overhang on the QCT & it seems to exagerate things. So for now I have gone back to the 4 way tool post– especially for parting off

I expect much of this is down to me not knowing how to set the carriage etc up properly except that a new lathe should not need it ( should it?) So perhaps one might consider whether it is a good investment before blowing loads of dosh.I might also add that the Warco QCT is a bit of a pig to adjust & I am not that impressed with it anyway so if buying again I would look for something with a bit more quality

Do others use them a lot on the Warco 250V ?

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 18/07/2016 06:48:22

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 18/07/2016 06:48:57

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Do think carefully before going for a set. You may consider a set as good value, but the question a new purchaser may not be able to answer definitively is 'Do you need every one of those holders?'.

I made that mistake, it being that I will likely never use the knurling attachment as I will be making the 'scissor' type which is far superior to the 'push' type. That one holder meant the set was no better value than spending far less, initially, and obtaining (or making) more standard holder's later. Other possibilities are that you may already have a parting off tool or would, in hindsight, prefer a different sized blade. Just a couple things; there may be others.

[mick70Participant @mick70]

i got the one from arc works great and will fit my southbend 9" model c when i get it sorted.

using the cl 430 at min.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

I have the Warco 250V-F & changed the 4 way tool post to a QCTP of the Dickson type, a clone by Bison' I have found this works very well, I had to make a new compound slide stud as the original was of questionable material & assembly. I now have 18 holders from various sources ( mostly from RDG & Warco at the exhibitions, usual disclaimer ) they all fit neatly & clamp up securely… some don't so check if you can.

For rigidity I have the tool post set back on the compound slide so the tool holder sits above the compound slide base & dovetails & not overhanging so the cutting forces bear down onto the compound & top slides, certainly makes a difference. I have also made a new compound slide gib key as the original was an abortion of a piece of MS plate that didn't bear any resemblance to a gib key, also ensuring the gib adjusters are snugged up. I have also adjusted the rear saddle SHCS so the saddle has 'just noticeable' drag feel to it as the saddle is moved, this will help to remove any 'lift' at the rear of the saddle. I still have a slight oil leak from the saddle gearbox but as I only top it up every couple of months it's one of those 'round to it ' jobs.

Tool post set back… it still clears the chuck…

The original gib key…

New gib key…

I also made a larger knurled ring for the compound slide dial as the original was far too small for my 'chubby' fingers…

Hope the above helps.

George.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Mentioned above the knurling tool is a waste of space but normally also has a tool slot at the back to be used for a facing chamfering tool.

Mounting point – If it is a topslide design without a T slot for the toolholder that forces position to make overhang has anyone moved the post hole back. Is that possible?

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

I have had a QCTP on my WM 250 for several years. I find it to be very useful, tool changes are indeed quick and I find centre heights and location setting to be repeatable to a good degree. I have not noticed any added flexibility from the addition although I did beef up the mounting plate.

I chose to go with a wedge action Aloris style (AXA 100 size) toolpost. I would agree with others about not buying a set. 99% of the time I just use the standard tool holder. The knurling tool is useless although it does have a small tool slot in the rear. The boring bar holder is too big but if you were building something large it might be useful. With hindsight I would buy just the toolpost and a few standard holders to get going.

Study and measure the existing toolpost carefully. A new QCTP of whatever type is unlikely to be a straight bolt on! I put a couple of pages on my website about fitting the toolpost to my WM 250, including a spare cross-slide toolpost and a new four bolt clamp plate. See Journeymans Workshop – Fitting QCTP.

John

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

These are engineering devices which are rather fiddly to make so if you have to pay a premium for it, it reflects what they need to get in order to justify their effort making it.

Michael W

[David lawrence 3Participant @davidlawrence3]

I have a new Warco wm240 lathe which is very similar to the wm250, I have the warco quick change tool post which is £ 140.00 with 2 standard holders, it is expensive but made for that lathe. It took 2 mins to fit and your are off and turning again, no machining to do. I would not buy a kit with odd holders you wont use, just but the ones you need. Its a great lathe and a good upgrade from a mini-lathe.

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