Colchester Student QCTP

[Trevor DonaldParticipant @trevordonald19706]

Need help with QCTP

[Trevor DonaldParticipant @trevordonald19706]

Hi All

New to the forum so be gentle, I have a colchester student Mk1 and just tried fitting a T2 QCTP to my student and there is no way the QCTP is going to fit with out major work, anyone got any tips or am I missing something

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Hello Trevor and welcome.

Sorry I cannot help with your query but there are a number of Colchester owners on here who may be able to help.

Brian

[Trevor DonaldParticipant @trevordonald19706]

Thanks for the welcome, no problem RDG say it is the correct one but looking on the web there seems to be 2 types of cross slide if anyone out there can confirm

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Trevor

That sounds very wrong. The Dickson T2 or S2 is pretty much the standard QC post for Colchester Students and Masters.

Normally fitting just requires a T shape spacer/washer on top to take up the difference between the stud diameter and the QC post bore. Supplied in official kits. Maybe a longer stud too if the toolpost is deeper than the standard four way but I thought that was only necessary if the taller T2T version of the Dickson was used which was always a pointless exercise as the increased height is of no benefit. Unless you just happen to have a T2T and didn't feel like shelling out for an ordinary one!

If I were making mounting gear from scratch I'd make the Tee nut longer so it pulls up over the whole base with of the post but, realistically, that is coming over all Inspector Meticulous.

Looking at Tonys Lathe.co website he shows a version of the topslide with the Tee slot at 45° rather than straight across carrying an American style lantern toolpost, third picture down on this page **LINK** . Something I've never seen, nor has anyone else I've mentioned it to, and always felt was an American affectation for the Clausing-Colchester version. If you have got one of those I guess the top slide will have to be tapped in the middle for a fixed, screwed in, stud as done on many other lathes.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 22/08/2020 11:10:18

[Trevor DonaldParticipant @trevordonald19706]

yep mine looks nothing like that if i could work out how to insert a picture 

 

Edited By Trevor Donald on 22/08/2020 11:24:34

[Trevor DonaldParticipant @trevordonald19706]

just work out how to do the pictures

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Trevor

Forgot about that one with the big cast post.

From your linked thread it looks as if the existing centre stud goes right through and can be got out. If so I'd either modify it or make a new one to suit the Dickson post and cut the the big cast post to provide clearance. Looks like the cast post is smaller in diameter than the recess in the base of the Dickson so it doesn't have to be dead flat. Just short enough not to touch.

Clive

[Trevor DonaldParticipant @trevordonald19706]

Hi Clive

Many thanks for the advice, I thought the only option would be to do something drastic to the top slide but I see what you mean about just cutting it low enough to clear. I am on the look out for a mill so may be wait till i get that and then take the plunge

[James Montgomery 1Participant @jamesmontgomery1]

Trevor,

As others have said you’ll have the grind down the post on that style of compound slide. The alternative is to buy a compound slide with a tee slot, but they’re pretty rare to find by all accounts!

Monty

[david childParticipant @davidchild69586]

Hi Trevor,

Did you get sorted? If not I’m looking for a T2T and post.

Cheers

David

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Yes Trevor there are two compound slides my mk1 started with one the same as yours but I managed to do a swop with one. from a imperial student, swopping out the feed screws etc. I did this for the same reason as you and have never looked back.

[Donovan KaardalParticipant @donovankaardal43990]

I'm in the process of converting my student 1.5 to use a Dickson style qctp. I had the same issue you have. What I've done is to cut down that post so its only around around 8mm high, and then put the top slide on to a rotary table on my mill. A few turns later it's a perfect fit for the toolpost.

Right now I'm just trying to figure out what the thread is in that hole so I can get a bolt for it. I might just drill and tap it for a metric one though.

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