Recommend an inexpensive lathe QC toolpost?

[John in OH]

Looking for wisdom here regarding recommendations for an inexpensive AXA size wedge-type quick change toolpost for a model 200 Logan lathe.

Hobby work only, no production or significant part replication, nearly everything I do is one-off work. I'd like to stay in the $100-200 range, including several tool holders, so Aloris, Dorian, and similar are beyond my pocketbook. There are lots of choices on Amazon and eBay, but I'd rather get feedback from those with experience with a specific brand.

 

[zmotorsports]

I had one like this on my old 3-in-1 machine that worked well.

https://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/251-111/

Matt is great to deal with and if there were ever any issues he stands behind what he sells.

 

[larry_g]

Phase II 251-111 Is what I have on my machines. Phase 2 was one of the better respected tooling sellers. That said I bought mine some 10 years ago and what they are selling now may be the same or not.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[shopnut]

I bought a SHARS 202-9474 years ago for my old Atlas 12x36" for $50 something maybe 5 or so years ago and have been very happy with it. I'm an occasional lathe user (once a month), but it sure makes the jobs more enjoyable. I bought an extra tool holder to make it even more convenient, but wish I had one or two more every now and then.

Link: Discussion in my build thread about QCTP

EDIT:
I see it is up around $200 now on Amazon, but perhaps still within your budget.
Link: SHARS QCTP on Amazon

 

[dutchgray]

With the cheap Chinese clone toolposts, get from a reputable tool dealer who will support what they sell and make sure its a standard size so "real" tool holders will fit as you will eventually find some cheap, not the cheapest you can buy direct from China.

 

[gorilla]

One of my friends bought a ADX tool post set from CDCO machinery and seems to be happy with it. I bought some tool holders and they seem to be OK. www.cdcotools.com

 

[csp]

Shars on mine as well. Yes, it's from China, but Shars' standards are a bit higher than the cheapest you can buy from China.

I bought directly from Shars and the package came with several tool holders.

 

[oldmachinenut]

I have a Grizzly AXA on my SouthBend, I am very pleased with it.

 

[jagboy69]

I'll be your huckleberry. I bought the BXA kit off scamazon recently. What a first class *************! I gave it back and bought an aloris from industrial tool in california. They run a deal on it and I paid 300. For holders, I go with the cheap chinese ones so I have tons of tool holders. I'm lazy like that.

I do have an aloris AXA sitting in a drawer with a ton of aloris brand and chincom brand holders. I might be willing to let it go as I never use it. My neighbor gave me a new hhip CXA qctp and some holders, that too is sitting in the drawer. It's just too big for my 13x38.
Anyway, here is what ya may end up with when ya roll the dice on amazon.

Look at the slop. It wasn't unlocking, but come on, that's just garbage!

 

[jagboy69]

Sorry.. had the name wrong. go here. https://allindustrial.com/search/?q=aloris
find JUST the AXA holder and put it in the cart, I bet you watch the price drop like a stone! It did for my BXA. I saved 150 some bucks!
Then I bought a boatload of holders on fleabay. They've been fine and I don't feel bad when I mill one out to hold a 1inch boring bar!

Deal looks to be gone. I think you are 2 months late. This is a decent price here. https://www.ebay.com/itm/284370294125?hash=item4235ca556d:g:brcAAOSwBahVAIhi

 

[bugnut]

+1 for Shars its on my SBL and works fine

 

[RoninB4]

Wedge beats the post type locking. JMO

 

[CraigStu]

I got one of these for my 1940s lathe.
This is the only lathe I have ever used and
The tool post seems good to me but this is the only lathe I have ever used so I may not be the best source of info.

You are being redirected...

 

[John in OH]

I got one of these for my 1940s lathe.
This is the only lathe I have ever used and
The tool post seems good to me but this is the only lathe I have ever used so I may not be the best source of info.

Did you intend to include a link or pic?? What brand did you get?

 

[dutchgray]

Wedge beats the post type locking. JMO

I haven't ever actually used a wedge myself, you don't see many over here apart from Chinese copies used by the home gamers of which many are decent, the cheapestnot so, (I typed in Aloris toolpost into Ebay and nothing came up in the UK) I have a Dickson (came on the lathe) which is a piston type and works very well, very common so lots of used holders available and new ones made by Bison which are not cheap but not silly either and for the bigger lathe I just bought a "used" genuine Swiss multifix size B which is excellent but not cheap and new decent holders are available direct from China for reasonable money, or some German made ones are also compatible.
Neither of these are budget options however.

 

[BillK]

I also have the Phase II and it has been pretty bullet proof but out of your budget range

 

[Steve from Socal]

I don't have any of the tool post but I do have a couple of tool holders in BX size from Asian sources. The one comment I hear about these and can confirm is you need to get some quality set screws for the tool holders. While the quality is not as high as the name brand stuff, it works OK. The name brand have better repeatability where you change from one tool block to another on the same job. For occasional work the Asian stuff should work fine with good set screws, do get a wedge type.

Steve

 

[slowtwitch73]

I have a Bostar and like it.

 

[John in OH]

I have a Bostar and like it.

I see a Bostar AXA wedge post and holder set listed on eBay for what seems like a very good price of $142 plus shipping ...

"BOSTAR AXA 250-111 Wedge Type Tool Post, Tool Holder Set for Lathe 6 -12", 10PC"

 

[CraigStu]

Did you intend to include a link or pic?? What brand did you get?

Geeez, sorry about that. I edited my original post also. Thanks.

You are being redirected...

 

[DavidR8]

I see a Bostar AXA wedge post and holder set listed on eBay for what seems like a very good price of $142 plus shipping ...

"BOSTAR AXA 250-111 Wedge Type Tool Post, Tool Holder Set for Lathe 6 -12", 10PC"

I have a Bostar AXA on my Southbend 10K and it works very well.

 

[MoonRise]

+ 1 on check what LittleMachineShop has. (yes, they mostly have stuff for 'smaller' machines, but they do list some AXA and BXA choices)

Actual Aloris AXA package set, with toolpost and two holders. $500

You are being redirected...

China clone AXA set, toolpost and five holders. $200

You are being redirected...

Clone BXA set, toolpost and five holders. $315

You are being redirected...

 

[jagboy69]

I hear a lot about littlemachineshop. While convenient, they don't always have the best prices. You gotta shop around.
They are way over priced on Aloris brand tooling. That 315buck bxa kit is 216bucks on amazon and it's the same junk.
It pays to be patient, skeptical and be prepared to make these sellers eat their garbage. I'm loyal to no seller anymore,
it's all a game they created and it pays to be savvy.

 

[John in OH]

I bought a SHARS 202-9474 years ago for my old Atlas 12x36" for $50 something maybe 5 or so years ago and have been very happy with it. I'm an occasional lathe user (once a month), but it sure makes the jobs more enjoyable. I bought an extra tool holder to make it even more convenient, but wish I had one or two more every now and then.

Link: Discussion in my build thread about QCTP

EDIT:
I see it is up around $200 now on Amazon, but perhaps still within your budget.
Link: SHARS QCTP on Amazon

Do you recall where you got the small black & yellow tray in the left front of your drawer, last pic, that stores your tool holders??

 

[Aaron_W]

I have both an OXA and an AXA from Little Machine Shop. I also have a Bostar AXA and I find the LMS one is nicer, better fit and finish.
I am a repeat customer. LMS does sell a lot of Chinese stuff, but don't stock the really low end stuff and have better than average quality control. Ive noticed that they rarely include the weird grease, sand and grindings you often get with Chinese tools which leads me to believe they actually look at their shipments, not just grab one out of the crate and toss it in the mail.

I also use All Industrial often, again their Chinese stuff seems to be of better quality than average and they do offer quality USA and European brands as well if you have the budget for it.


Jagboy is correct that Little Machine Shop is not as cheap as some Ebay sellers but they also offer service which is something many of the cheap eBay sellers lack. I've been a customer for several years and I have had no bad experiences with them.

 

[bugnut]

I don't have any of the tool post but I do have a couple of tool holders in BX size from Asian sources. The one comment I hear about these and can confirm is you need to get some quality set screws for the tool holders. While the quality is not as high as the name brand stuff, it works OK. The name brand have better repeatability where you change from one tool block to another on the same job. For occasional work the Asian stuff should work fine with good set screws, do get a wedge type.

Steve

John, Steve is quite right in his post. I have replaced the allen head with a square head set screw on many holders over time. If tools are constantly changed, think job shop, the allen heads round out a square head screw solves the issue and saves time and flesh! This goes double for import brands as the allen head are seldom well made.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[shopnut]

Do you recall where you got the small black & yellow tray in the left front of your drawer, last pic, that stores your tool holders??

I have bought dozens of these boxes and cut the lids off to allow 6 of them to fit in each drawer of my cabinets (YMMV). They are fairly flimsy by themselves to use as a tote, but work nicely in this fashion.

 

[CraigStu]

I don't really know much about lathes etc so on several occasions I have called LMS and they have been very helpful each time. So I like to give them my business.

 

[John in OH]

I have bought dozens of these boxes and cut the lids off to allow 6 of them to fit in each drawer of my cabinets (YMMV). They are fairly flimsy by themselves to use as a tote, but work nicely in this fashion.

Thanks for the info!! I'll be picking up a few of these next time I'm passing HF.

 

[Hank11]

I'd buy the Aloris, even if it meant waiting to buy more tool holders. I've done it both ways - china copy and the real thing. The real thing is better. I've had three Aloris and one chinesium. (over multiple lathes) After replacing chinesium with the real thing I'd never go back. Its a marginal improvement for sure, but for full benefit of the concept, get the real thing.

Aloris runs specials all the time. Look at their site and resellers sites for current deals. Cheapest is not always better.

 

[Aaron_W]

I have bought dozens of these boxes and cut the lids off to allow 6 of them to fit in each drawer of my cabinets (YMMV). They are fairly flimsy by themselves to use as a tote, but work nicely in this fashion.

Great idea. I've seen those little boxes but pass on them as kind of flimsy, but that is a good use for them.

 

[DAVE VAN]

I vote for Shars. Installed it on my South Bend 9A and use it every week Works fine. You will have to modify the bottom of the center post to fit your lathe. No big deal.

 

[matt_i]

My philosophy is to get a "better" tool post and then attempt to save on the generic "#1 blocks" as they are only blocks of steel.

On-edge threading for OD and laydown inserts for internal are nice to have. Its also nice to have some extra blocks laying around, I found that having a square insert (or HSS tool) that sits at 45 degrees is nicer than having to swing the compound around and single-point your machined chamfers. If you mess with snap rings having an extra tool block holders for HSS or Micro 100 brazed tools in various widths are nice.

Like any area of life there are only so many funds and so cutting costs in one area opens up additional investment possibility in others and each person has their own priorities.

 

[larry4406]

OP - what did you ultimately decide?

I have an Atlas/Craftsman 12" and have been contemplating the wedge AXA from Little Machine Shop.

 

[John in OH]

OP - what did you ultimately decide?

I have an Atlas/Craftsman 12" and have been contemplating the wedge AXA from Little Machine Shop.

Took a flyer and ordered the Bostar QC post with 8 holders for $142 + shipping. I decided that for the price it was worth a try. If it turns out to be a miniature boat anchor I'm not really out too much ... or, maybe it will work OK for my limited needs. Time and use will tell.

I'll plan to disassemble the post and clean and lube it thoroughly. Will also inspect the holder screws and replace any that seem sloppy.

I appreciate everyone for their thoughts, recommendations, and suggestions!

 

[larry4406]

OP - keep us posted on what you think of it.

Also show us how you make your t-nut.

 

[John in OH]

OP - keep us posted on what you think of it.

Also show us how you make your t-nut.

The Bostar QC post came with a t-nut "blank" that was 2-3/8" x 2-3/8" x 1/2" thick. The center of this blank was drilled and tapped for the threaded center rod of the QC post.

I should have taken a few pics while milling down this blank, but I never thought of doing so. I used a 1/2" 4-flute end mill to first cut the blank to slightly smaller than the width of the compound slot. Then used the same end mill to mill the "t" profile on each side of the tapped hole. There was no need to cut the blank to length nor reduce the overall thickness. The blank material milled easily.

It was a simple milling task, but my "mill" is actually an Enco mill-drill unit and, while adequate for this job, it is kinda light weight so milling speed and depth of cut is slow.

 

[bubinga]

Phase II 251-111 Is what I have on my machines. Phase 2 was one of the better respected tooling sellers. That said I bought mine some 10 years ago and what they are selling now may be the same or not.

lg
no neat sig line

X II for Phase 2
Have to make your own T nut, I don't have a mill, but l made mine with the lathe, a hack saw and file.

 

[bubinga]

Wedge beats the post type locking. JMO

X 2

 

[bubinga]

Took a flyer and ordered the Bostar QC post with 8 holders for $142 + shipping. I decided that for the price it was worth a try. If it turns out to be a miniature boat anchor I'm not really out too much ... or, maybe it will work OK for my limited needs. Time and use will tell.

I'll plan to disassemble the post and clean and lube it thoroughly. Will also inspect the holder screws and replace any that seem sloppy.

I appreciate everyone for their thoughts, recommendations, and suggestions!

Price isn't bad, let us know how it works out.