It may help if you state your type of lathe so others have a better idea of a suitable tool-post.

The simplest types available, made for small lathes, rely on being basically a split clamp to hold the tool-block itself. Probably fine for light work but the more sophisticated forms, with a cam action, such as those made for the Myford lathes (similar to the bigger industrial varieties) are likely to be more accurate and last a lot longer.

Margaret,

Thanks for putting me on to 'Mr Ade Swash' …. he has a very good YT channel.

As for QCTPs, I use ArcEuroTrade ones – they are adequate enough for my skill level…. https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Lathes/SIEG-C3-SC2-SC3-Mini-Lathes/C3-SC2-SC3-Accessories/C3-Quick-Change-Tool-Post-Set …. I have an Arc supplied Sieg SC2 lathe.

Arc do a wide range of QCTPs… https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Lathe-Accessories/Tool-Posts

Ches

Rigidity is always a potential problem with QCTP on a small lathe – extra points and overhang to contend with.

Arceuro is my go-to supplier of all things for lathe/mill. They get most of my trade.

Another option is to make an identical 4-way toolpost and swap as necessary. OK, I never had more than three cutters installed, but a home-made copy could be cheap and reasonably effective as an alternative.

I use a QCTP on both of my lathes but have also used four-way tool-posts like that.

I don't find the four-way tool-post significantly less convenient for setting than the QC type. A bit slower as you still need set each tool to height but now using shims. You still have lots of screws to tighten.

Most turning operations don't need more than 4 tools anyway: although using a QCTP means you can build up a set of more than four ready-installed tools. One of mine holds the knurling tool, another a screw-cutting tool.

If set appropriately an indexing 4-way post is marginally quicker to operate than a QCTP, especially for repetition work, but there is not much in it. (A capstan lathe is one with souped-up, 6-way versions of indexing toolposts.)

Some users of 4-WTPs and plain top-slides, keep a set of appropriate shims with each tool, especially if using insert tools whose own geometry is constant.

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Their drawbacks are the tools not in immediate use are sharp pointy things happy to bite your hand, and occasionally, the projecting tools are in the way of the tailstock or chuck.

The other main disadvantage of a plain 4-way toolpost without indexing, compared to a drop-in type QCTP, is that you need use a straight-edge or square to align each turn to the slide for repeatability. It should not be too difficult to make some form of indexer for it, though.

Otherwise really, there is not much to choose between the two systems.

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I am not familiar with Amadeal lathes but the photograph suggests yours will take a rear tool-post usually dedicated to holding the parting-tool; and you may find that more useful than changing the tool-post.

I agree with the previous posters; I don't bother with a QCTP for the same reasons. Early on I bought a Dickson toolpost and some holders, but never fitted it, and never will.

Most of my turning is done with four tools; a RH knife tool, RH oblique tool to use the other corner on the inserts, parting off blade and a boring bar. If I need to change tools on a job it is simple to keep the shims with the tool after initial setup. Centre height isn't as critical as is made out; I line up by eye against a centre in the tailstock.

I can't comment on ball turning units as I've never used one. For handles and non-critical work I chamfer and then use files. For more precise work I use a hydraulic copy unit:

It came with a custom Dickson toolpost, so I use it. That's my excuse and I am sticking to it.

Andrew

Following on from Nigel's post my 4-way toolpost is sort of indexing, every 9 degrees. In the above picture of the copy unit the indexing plate can just be seen lower left. That is one reason I never fitted the Dickson toolpost.

I keep meaning to machine a single block shim to the correct thickness for my commonly used tools, but have never quite been irritated enough when changing tools to do so.

Andrew

Shimming would be the easiest way, keep the shim with the tool then it will be quicker the next time you want to use it. Note on the insert bars it is the height of the corner of the insert you want to be setting the height of.

Or like me once you have a QCTP a holder for each bar make it quick to change and it will also go back into the same position which is handy if you are doing two or more parts the same.

Edited By JasonB on 24/07/2023 10:14:32

I fitted a wedge type QCTP to my WM250 and find it a useful addition. Can still use the 4-way original post as well so have both options covered. Don't find any particular rigidity problems and if necessary can also do away with the top-slide and just fit the toolpost directly to the cross-slide.

You can see what I did here – Cross-slide toolpost and here top-slide toolpost for the WM250.

John

I agree with Jason. Shimming is the best way on this case. I keep my hss tools in a flat box with simple dividers glued in place, I keep the shims in the same slot as the tool which they match. Means I can select a tool with its shims immediately and know it will be at CH. Just recheck shims after grinding a tool

Regards

Mikes strategy of keeping tools and shim sets together in a divided box is undoubtably effective but takes a, to me, terrifying degree of super organisation.

No way could I mange that so pre-loaded posts were the way for me.

One advantage of of pre-loaded posts over swopping tool and shim sets in a single post is that tool projection distance settings are retained. Just as with a QC system. So if you have to make several parts needing tool changes during a job swopping posts rather than tools means you don't necessarily have to reset the dials after each change. Probably best to verify before the final cut on a precision part tho'.

Clive

Have considere QCTPs but stuck with my 4 way.

Cost Would cost over £250 for the nuber of holders needed fo the tools used.

Space Having a small, congested workshop, akin to Rubik's Cube, little or no space to store the unused holders.

Rigidity Wary of being less rigid that a 4 way toolpost becaus of the overhang and the interfaces.

All of which reduce rigidity.

But, you makes your choice and pays your monery.

Do what best suits you.

A 4 way toolpost will carry 3 tools. Shims? old feeler gauges, or cut up biscuit tims (About 0.010" thick in most cases. Pity that so many food tins are corrugated, although maybe the lids could be cut up and reused.

My lathe has 2 longitudinal T slots in the Cross Slide , so I made an indexable 4 way toolpost to go on the rear. This carries the parting tool, and tools for front and back chamfering.,

There may be a picture in my albums, showing front and rear in position.

Just checked, third from bottom. If you want more details, PM me, and I'll try to find the number of the Issue with the article.

MEW published an article on it (One of the few times that I made drawings, rather than a sketch on the back od an envelope )

You can change the dimensions to suit your machine., if you so wish.

HTH

Howard

Edited By Howard Lewis on 24/07/2023 14:01:49