Quick Change Tool Post for Warco WM180

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Quick Change Tool Post for Warco WM180

This topic has 29 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 5 February 2023 at 15:56 by Howard Lewis.

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20 May 2015 at 17:55 #190715
Andrew Broome
Participant
@andrewbroome18525
Hi All.

I am a lawyer by profession, but have undertaken lots of small engineering projects over the years. In so doing I have made use of an early small Cowells Lathe (I think a Perris design) for most things, but found it limited in size and power.

As a result, I bought a new Warco lathe (WM180), which I am generally pleased with. However, I do miss not having a quick change tool post, and would like to acquire one.

On looking at the Warco site, they provide such a beast (although out of stock). That said, it doesn't seem very substantial when compared against some of the beefier items supplied by other manufacturers. Can anyone recommend a supplier for such a tool post which would be compatible with my machine? ideally one with the ability to hold two tools at once would be a help. I appreciate I could sleeve a larger bore post as long as the overall height isn't excessive. The Centre height is 90mm on the Warco.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Andrew
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20 May 2015 at 17:55 #12480
Andrew Broome
Participant
@andrewbroome18525
20 May 2015 at 19:42 #190726
John Rudd
Participant
@johnrudd16576
Posted by Andrew Broome on 20/05/2015 17:55:09:

Hi All.

I am a lawyer by profession.

Can anyone recommend a supplier for such a tool post which would be compatible with my machine? ideally one with the ability to hold two tools at once would be a help.

Andrew

I doubt anyone would do so for fear of litigation……

Anyhow, more seriously, do you have access to a milling machine? You could make your own….

You could check out try other sellers, Amadeal, or Arc …….
20 May 2015 at 20:18 #190731
Andrew Broome
Participant
@andrewbroome18525
Thanks John

No risk of litigation, promise!

I do have a small miller, but fear that may be a bit much for me to take on as a basic novice.

Ideally I want something I can buy, and fit, perhaps with a small sleeving job to plug the bore up (or open out).

Regards

Andrew
20 May 2015 at 21:06 #190739
John Rudd
Participant
@johnrudd16576
How about…..

http://www.chesterhobbystore.com/quick-change-toolpost—smallbrincludes-2-holders-11158-p.asp
20 May 2015 at 21:36 #190742
Ed Duffner
Participant
@edduffner79357
Hi Andrew,

I have the WM-180 and bought a Model 100 Quick Change Tool Post Set from Arc Eurotrade and it works very well. I did have to make a new centre sleeve and bore the bottom of the main body of the toolpost with a carbide boring bit but it was ok. I currently use one of my M10 hold down bolts to clamp it in place as it's high tensile.

**LINK**

Regards,
Ed.
20 May 2015 at 22:25 #190747
Andrew Broome
Participant
@andrewbroome18525
Thanks John/Ed for the help.

Yes Ed, I noticed when I lifted the current tool holder off the stud, that its base was thicker (about 18mm +). It occurred to me I may have a little boring job whatever Post I went for. Did you cut the Post ok when you bored it, as I believe they are hardened?

Are you pleased with your WM180?

regards

Andrew
20 May 2015 at 22:49 #190750
Ed Duffner
Participant
@edduffner79357
Very happy with the 180 but as a lot of folks say, the bigger the better. The current project I'm working on uses 22mm brass bar and doesn't fit through the spindle but I've found a way around it. C'est La Vie!

The base had to be bored as you mention. I made a simple boring bar from a piece of 12mm mild steel (EN8), cross drilled it near one end and used the broken shank of a 4mm solid carbide end-mill ground to shape on a green wheel. The bit was held in place with a small M4 grub screw drilled and tapped in the end of the bar. I used the mill to vertically bore the base moving the bit out to full diameter a little at a time, 0.5mm or so.

If you go for that particular tool-post and need some dimensions for the conversion just let me know.

Regards,
Ed.
20 May 2015 at 23:07 #190751
Andrew Broome
Participant
@andrewbroome18525
Thanks Ed, that's helpful.

Regards

Andrew
22 May 2015 at 15:20 #190898
Matthew Ellis
Participant
@matthewellis85598
Andrew, I have the WM180 and an (as yet unmodified) Warco Quick Change Toolpost. I spoke to Warco before ordering and it does 'just' need the centre hole enlarged to suit the locating spigot (under the existing tool holder – unscrew and lift to see it).

The modified one is (I think) always out of stock because they make them to order by modifying the stock item – if you want one ready-modified, call Warco sales.

Hope that helps,

Matthew
22 May 2015 at 16:36 #190901
Bowber
Participant
@bowber
I modified a Dixon type from RDG to fit my 280, I think they are very similar if not the same, and I seem to remember it was 22mm for the spigot.

I used a carbide tipped boring bar but it still took a bit of doing to get through the hard skin.

Steve
22 May 2015 at 21:02 #190927
Jon
Participant
@jon
I can drop a 250-200 series round Andy brand new just need the holders £19 each from Gloster tooling.
23 May 2015 at 19:21 #191015
Andrew Broome
Participant
@andrewbroome18525
Jon

That would be kind. Drop me a mail and we can discuss payment etc.

I confess I am a little wary of how easily I will be able to bore out the base of the spigot. From what I remember, its 10mm overall, but has about a 20mm base. Any tips???

Regards

Andrew
23 May 2015 at 21:00 #191027
Vic
Participant
@vic
I use a four way and have Epoxied suitable shims to the bottom of my insert tooling so it's always on centre. Negates the need of a QC for me and may help you until you get what you want?
23 May 2015 at 21:34 #191030
Nick_G
Participant
@nick_g
Posted by Andrew Broome on 20/05/2015 17:55:09:

Hi All.

I am a lawyer by profession,

Andrew

.

Equals :- Earns more money than the Pope.

So the 'Multifix size AA' for that size of lathe will be your best friend.

Nick
23 May 2015 at 21:38 #191032
Vic
Participant
@vic
Posted by Nick_G on 23/05/2015 21:34:11:

Equals :- Earns more money than the Pope.

Nick

Must be just starting out or he would have bought a Wabeco not a Warco …
23 May 2015 at 21:46 #191034
Nick_G
Participant
@nick_g
Posted by Vic on 23/05/2015 21:38:39:

Wabeco not a Warco …

.

** Tuts. ……….. And these are the guys we pay to read the small print for us. – Simple 'Typo' error anyone could have made though eh.?

Nick
27 May 2015 at 07:39 #191354
Nitai Levi
Participant
@nitailevi73768
FWIW I have a Little Machine Shop quich change post and I like it. I prefer the tapered gib type holder.
15 June 2015 at 22:18 #193614
Andrew Broome
Participant
@andrewbroome18525
An update:

Thanks to the huge generosity of Jon, a 250 200 series tool holder now sits on top of my WM 180!!!

I decided in the end to mill off the 22mm (approx.) base that the existing tool post sat in on the top slide. That was going to be far easier than seeking to bore the hardened steel of the battleship sized tool holder on the 180 . I then drilled the top slide of the lathe with a new 14.5mm (turned down) drill which would fit my Saupe BF400 miller. Its a small machine, and I was anxious about its ability as well as my own, but it coped easily. I then tapped the hole, and the M16 post screwed in beautifully.

I have no doubt that the tool post is overkill on my little lathe, but its solid in the extreme, and it will centre the tools, and still articulate around the axis of the post without fouling the cross slide which I was concerned about. Thus, job done, and a boost in confidence to me along the way!!!

If I can work out how, I will post a picture, but the lathe is now akin to my Labrador wearing Pit Bulls huge black leather Studded collar!!!! You have the image I am sure, but it works well, meets the intended purpose of convenience, and is versatile.

Many thanks to Jon again and to all who assisted. I am very pleased with the result.

regards

Andrew
16 June 2015 at 09:35 #193676
mechman48
Participant
@mechman48
Andrew

I did the same with my WM 250V-F, already had Bison version of Dickson type QC tool holder, easier to machine the boss off the compound slide & make a new post, the original post was of dubious quality so made a new one to fit bore of block.

George.
15 August 2022 at 15:08 #609716
COLIN MARTIN 2
Participant
@colinmartin2
Sorry to resurrect an ancient post, but is there any update on this topic? Is there any alternative to either buying Warco's QCTP, or modifying another make to clear the boss on the Warco?

Thanks,

Colin
15 August 2022 at 15:33 #609722
Martin Connelly
Participant
@martinconnelly55370
I was watching a video on YouTube yesterday by Clough42. He wanted to add a Multifix QCTP and had decided to do it by replacing the compound slide with a solid tool post mount. A lot of the comments were by other people who have done this. They reckoned that it improved rigidity on a small lathe and that having to put the compound back on since doing it was a very rare occurrence. This may be an option for the WM 180 that you could consider.

A quick check found that there is also a YouTube video from 11 months ago of someone doing this to a WM180

Martin C
15 August 2022 at 15:46 #609726
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Only thing to note is that Clough42 and the guy in the linked video have DRO's on their lathes which gives good positioning. without the topslide and a DRO you may find it harder to put on a fine cut.

Toolposts are hard but not always so hard that you can't modify them yourself with carbide tools, worked for me.
3 February 2023 at 15:42 #631886
COLIN MARTIN 2
Participant
@colinmartin2
I have been looking at getting a T37 QCTP for my Warco, as I have been using the flimsy, cheapo one that was on my mini lathe, but apart from the cost, the T37 has to be machined for the Warco boss, so I thought that maybe just buying another standard tool post might be the best bet, because that would give me eight tools set up and ready to go, especially as I am using indexable tools now.

However, in reality they are two-way tool posts, because the Banggood tools that I have are so long that only two can be accommodated at one time. Has anyone else dealt with this? Can the tool shanks be easily cut with an angle grinder to shorten them?

Cheers,

Colin
3 February 2023 at 15:50 #631890
Tony Pratt 1
Participant
@tonypratt1
Yes an angle grinder will cut through a tool shank no problem

Tony
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