Lathe Tool Holder - What Is Missing

[Bib Overalls]

Some time ago I bought a well used Craftsman/Atlas 6" lathe. It came with some tooling that I am just now sorting out. One of the items I found was this tool holder. I'm not all that familiar with lathes or there tooling and I found this interesting. It is obviously missing some parts; the "T" plate and the post and what appear to be ball bearings. The circular bottom plate with the six pockets also has a rubber "O" ring around its circumference. What can you tell me about this gem?


Craftsman Lathe 06 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr


Craftsman Lathe 07 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

 

[Provincial]

You are missing the balls (ball bearings - available from a well-stocked hardware store or any bearing supply), the T-slot nut that fits into the compound slot, the stud that extends from that nut up through the center support, and the flanged nut that holds the whole thing to the compound. You could use a bolt instead of the stud and nut, but it would have to be pretty precise in length (or shimmed just right with washers).

Another option for the stud/nut/t-slot nut is to cut a piece of flat bar to fit the large part of the t-slot, drill a hole in it, and make a t-head bolt by welding a rod to it threaded on the end.

I don't know where you might find more of the special tool holders. It looks like it has a lot of overhang, so it wouldn't be much good for heavy work.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Thanks. The lathe has an AXA QCTP with a couple of holders. I'm going to buy a couple more from Tools4cheap and that should give me everything I really need. Even so, I think that having this holder operational will give me some flexibility should I need it. Making up the "T" head bolt will be a good skill building project.

 

[ReCycle]

He is correct, it's simply a rotary style tool holder so that you can put different cutting tools & quickly rotate it to a new or different shape tool without having to unscrew the old tool & put the new one in...
More modern systems use a quarter turn friction hold to quick change tools out... You should be able to find the parts at any local bearing store, but I would take the assembly with so they can use a caliper to determine the proper size... Any mating questions you have your welcome to drop me a line, been machining for years...

 

[Steevo]

They are commonly called a turret tool post also.
Here is a video of one in action:

 

[andywander]

Interesting tool post; I have never seen one like that before. It appears to be a combination of the Quick-Change and 4-Way toolposts.

I don't see much use for it if you already have an AXA, though.