Warco Super mini lathe tool post

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Warco Super mini lathe tool post

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  • #370260
    andrew lyner
    Participant
      @andrewlyner71257

      I have recently started using my new super mini lathe and I am pretty impressed with it on the whole. The tool post is not too convenient to use and I have been considering getting a Quick Change version. Warco offer a low cost QC post and I was wondering how it is likely to compare with the other one or two that seem to be available at similar cost.

      Does anyone have experience of the Warco post, compared with others?

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      #19065
      andrew lyner
      Participant
        @andrewlyner71257
        #370277
        Brian G
        Participant
          @briang

          I have one, but found it awkward to use, so switched to a cheap piston type. On the plus side they are very rigid and the toolholders can be hung on the splashguard for storage, but on the downside it is easy for the toolholder to lock in off-centre, in which case it will be loose as soon as it comes under load, and I found the clamping screw often needed a clout to release the holder. Minor irritations are the need to rotate the holder when facing or boring, and of course the fact that tool changing isn't tool free.

          Brian

          #370305
          andrew lyner
          Participant
            @andrewlyner71257

            "and of course the fact that tool changing isn't tool free."

            Ah yes. Pictures of other posts show a lever. That could be an advantage.

            #370326
            Brian G
            Participant
              @briang

              To be fair, that is only a problem if you are as untidy as me.
              If you can put up with the inconveniences I mentioned, I doubt you could get anything as rigid without paying twice as much.

              Brian

              #370331
              not done it yet
              Participant
                @notdoneityet

                I have used most types of the different tool holders.

                The adjustable boat type are as useful as a chocolate teapot, IMO.

                4 way tool posts are reasonable but only if the shims, or most of them, are kept with each cutter – gluing together is good. Lantern types are likely almost as good if shims are treated the same. Making a a couple extra 4-way tool posts, ready for tool selection, is a cheap and easy option. I mostly only fitted two tools and one cutter or another is often a physical nuisance.

                QCTPs are good, but overhang problems may exist, particularly where rigidity is already an issue.

                The ‘budget’ version takes a little longer to change cutters, but the shims being replaced by a tool holder with position setting is a good improvement. For occasional tool changes they are a good product. I am currently using one as a rear tool post for an upside down parting tool.

                Of the more common ones, piston/cam types are regarded as the cheaper/inferior brother to the wedge types, but are perfectly adequate for most hobbyists. Tool holder cost, or precision required for making/obtaining some tool holders, makes them a further expense above the cheaper piston types.

                Lastly, the multi-position types look very impressive. Simple alteration of cutter angle is tempting, but getting quality at a reasonable cost is out of budget for most humble hobbyists.

                My wife suggested a Chronos one for my last year’s birthday present, when she saw me evaluating them. I declined as the money could be better spent elsewhere with little loss, if any, to my turning capabilities by not having one. One thing I noted was the significantly higher cost of holders, or added difficulty in making one’s own! The other, was the possible questionable quality of a system from those origins. It would not be a case of ‘buy cheap, buy twice’, but buying expensive and buying twice (or not buying again)!

                #370342
                Brian G
                Participant
                  @briang
                  Posted by not done it yet on 04/09/2018 08:15:28:

                  …The other, was the possible questionable quality of a system from those origins. It would not be a case of ‘buy cheap, buy twice’, but buying expensive and buying twice (or not buying again)!

                  That is why I was unsure about posting my criticisms of the Warco toolpost. Whatever its faults, it fits instantly without any problems, and provided the toolholders are located correctly it holds the tools very well (which is the main requirement of any toolpost).

                  To provide a comparison, the cheap (Chinese) piston type QCTP we are using now works, but took a while to get there. It is all aluminium and originally the bolt securing it to the compound slide was broaching its way into the centre post, so the whole thing rotated when parting off, and every single screw in the toolholders had to be replaced in order to use 6mm and 8mm tools as the clamping screws didn't reach and the height screws didn't allow the toolholders to be lowered even to the mid-height of the post.

                  After a lot of messing about (and some immoderate language) it now functions acceptably, but I still change to the Warco toolpost or the 4-way for difficult work. I don't get much workshop time due to my paralysis, but at some point will get around to remaking it in steel, (the design is OK, the implementation less so), and adding a locating pin so it doesn't try to rotate when parting off.

                  Brian

                  #370409
                  andrew lyner
                  Participant
                    @andrewlyner71257

                    Thanks for yet another useful set of comments, chaps. I think I may well go for the Warco low cost post.

                    Incidentally, I just found a limitation to my new Mini when trying to part off a 50mm aluminium bar. I managed it by lengthening the parting blade a bit at a time. There was some chatter and some clogging / stalling but I managed to tame it by adjusting side clearances and position and frequent clearing of swarf. I was on tenterhooks as the cut got deeper and deeper but the work fell off with a satisfying plop.

                    This was with the standard four position tool post. I guess you will all say that it's not a good thing to try and I'd agree but I needed a 47mm 0.75mm male thread for an optical filter so I couldn't think of any other way round it.

                    #370422
                    not done it yet
                    Participant
                      @notdoneityet

                      Here is an alternative to parting off a 50mm aluminium bar – cut with a hacksaw.smiley Unless you have a disability, of course.

                      #370451
                      andrew lyner
                      Participant
                        @andrewlyner71257
                        Posted by not done it yet on 04/09/2018 17:04:54:

                        Here is an alternative to parting off a 50mm aluminium bar – cut with a hacksaw.smiley Unless you have a disability, of course.

                        I did consider that but the filter holder is very thin and I doubted that I could finish of the mangled face. Turned out fine though, as it happened. I can't help thinking that a different parting tool holder would help – or even a design that could fit the Warco post.

                        An alternative could have been to use tubing, rather than bar. I really need a cupboard full of off-cuts; I haven't located a suitable scrap metal merchant near my new home. There was a brilliant place in Brighton that would sell useful stuff at really good prices. eBay is not a cheap source of bits and bobs,

                        #370473
                        Nick Clarke 3
                        Participant
                          @nickclarke3
                          Posted by andrew lyner on 04/09/2018 19:20:33:

                          Posted by not done it yet on 04/09/2018 17:04:54:

                          An alternative could have been to use tubing, rather than bar. I really need a cupboard full of off-cuts; I haven't located a suitable scrap metal merchant near my new home. There was a brilliant place in Brighton that would sell useful stuff at really good prices. eBay is not a cheap source of bits and bobs,

                          With all due regard to your personal privacy, what general area of the country are you in? Perhaps someone could make a suggestion?

                          My personal experience is that metal merchants (as against model engineering suppliers) keep offcuts and usually, if you have bought something, will sell these to you at scrap prices as that is all they will get for them.

                          #370498
                          andrew lyner
                          Participant
                            @andrewlyner71257
                            Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 04/09/2018 20:32:48:

                            Posted by andrew lyner on 04/09/2018 19:20:33:

                            Posted by not done it yet on 04/09/2018 17:04:54:

                            An alternative could have been to use tubing, rather than bar. I really need a cupboard full of off-cuts; I haven't located a suitable scrap metal merchant near my new home. There was a brilliant place in Brighton that would sell useful stuff at really good prices. eBay is not a cheap source of bits and bobs,

                            With all due regard to your personal privacy, what general area of the country are you in? Perhaps someone could make a suggestion?

                            My personal experience is that metal merchants (as against model engineering suppliers) keep offcuts and usually, if you have bought something, will sell these to you at scrap prices as that is all they will get for them.

                            I live in Essex / London borders and I have not traced a suitable source from some time spent on Google. When I lived in Brighton, things were very different. Random Stainless bits for my boat could sometimes be had at scrap prices. Any info would be very welcome. smiley

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