Multifix toolholder Vendors

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

I'm planning on upgrading to a Multifix style QCTP tool post for my GH600 Warco Lathe.

I have searched the forum and there have been a few threads but not recently.

There seems now to be a few different suppliers with AXA, PWT, Cronos, Amestra to name a few.

I was looking for opinions and feedback on ones to avoid or go for.

Also those of you with them, what size did you go for with what size machine?

Thanks in advance

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

'Create' is another brand worth looking at.

Tony

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Have a look at the info. on the lathes.co.uk website. There is a lot of the original Swiss Multifix literature there, including fully-dimensioned drawings which will inform your choice of size.

The best current seller of Multifix clones is not UK-based, so if I mention them here, it will invite moderation. Even with the VAT and duty and fees you will pay by buying from them (they will not attempt to sidestep the rules like many other overseas sellers), they are still cheaper and better quality than UK offerings.

[Alistair Robertson 1Participant @alistairrobertson1]

Some years ago we bought some new lathes as part of research project and we equiped them with full sets of Multifix tooling from Rotagrip

The tooling was good quality and worked perfectly. Certainly not cheap, in fact we could have bought another lathe for the cost of the Multifix tooling for 6 lathes!

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Steve,

Just take a good look at the photos and compare the finish with the Rotagrip stock. The cheap ones are what they are, it shows in the finish.

[jann westParticipant @jannwest71382]

a review of a multifix clone: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/multifix-toolholder-clone-review-222390/

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

Dave, would you say the Rotagrip are from a different factory as the Create versions?

Edited By Steve Lawes on 10/11/2020 10:01:17

[Joseph Noci 1Participant @josephnoci1]

Hi Steve,

This thread sums it up :

**LINK**

I purchased many holders, etc – well described in the link above, from Create tool, and the quality is excellent – They all fit the original Multi Suisse toolholder perfectly.

I used size 'A' on a the EMCO 14D a mid size lathe- probably OK on most mid-sized Mini lathes.

They do not cut corners, play games with taxes, invoice price fixing, etc.

All details in that post, and the BOSS said ( on the 13th June 2017 @ 19H21:49 my time)

' Passing on contact details is OK.

Neil'

( maybe the rules are different in 2020..)

Joe

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

Thanks Joe

[Henry BrownParticipant @henrybrown95529]

Is there a EU supplier for Create, I can't find one. I have found PeWeTools in Germany but presume they are a different outfit?

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

I bought the smallest sized ones from PeWeTools to fit my Pultra 1770, they are fine and I cannot find fault with them.

Phil

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

Seems like a good review of the Create tool post…

 

 

Edited By Steve Lawes on 10/11/2020 16:19:26

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

So for a basic A set:

Create Multifix Set A $240 Exc import tax/vat Plus Shipping

Pewetools Set A € 282.69 Inc VAT Plus Shipping (€ 18.44)

Rotagrip Set A £401.70 Inc Vat Plus Shipping

AXA Set A € 459.13 Inc Vat Plus Shipping

Toolholder:

Create AD2090 $33.60 Exc

Pewe AD2080 € 47.76 Inc

Rotagrip A 2090 £54 Inc

AXA AD 2090 € 68.56 Inc

Edited By Steve Lawes on 10/11/2020 17:03:01

Edited By Steve Lawes on 10/11/2020 17:09:37

[Henry BrownParticipant @henrybrown95529]

Interesting! Did you see this Steve? Link

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

I didn't Henry, thanks.

The Pewe seem to have good feedback too

 

Edited By Steve Lawes on 10/11/2020 18:15:34

[S.D.L.Participant @s-d-l]

I started with the create which was fine, then bought some more holders from Germany via Ebay and they fit pefectly, Paints a different colour but they were quicker and no carrier customs fee.

Using a genuine Dickinson that came with the lathe I occasionally got a Jam when parting, with the multifix straight through under power feed including 304/316 stainless steel.

Steve

[Matt HarringtonParticipant @mattharrington87221]

Can I suggest Paulimot

I have bought Multifix from them in the past and prices are comparable to Create Tools (who probably make them)

Delivery for my last lot (Size A) was free and took a few days by DHL.

BTW, I still can't get hold of Create Tools who make a retracting toolholder – mind you, they are based in Wuhan!!

Matt

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

Thanks for the recommendation Matt, price is very competitive for sure

[Matt HarringtonParticipant @mattharrington87221]

The only thing to check for is that toolholders fit when they arrive. I think quazlity control can be a little poor. I bought a few from Create Tools last year and one didn't fit very well. I also have an original Multifix and all the holders seem to be interchangeable.

Matt

[Mike Henderson 1Participant @mikehenderson1]

The OP asks what size people have on what lathe. Not directly helpful to him but I have three on different lathes.

The Myford Speed 10 has a genuine Multifix AA, £41 from a local tool dealer, complete with 2 holders. I fell lucky. Since fitting it, I've bought extra holders from Rotagrip, Paulimot and Pewe, the last unhardened unslotted to machine for particular purposes. All have fitted fine.

The Harrison 11" (better known as an L5a) has a size A from Rotagrip with extra holders from them also. This was the first one I fitted, to replace very unsatisfactory Dickson clone. Main issue with the Dickson was that extra holders didn't fit, regardless of where they came from, including the original supplier! A minor issue, at least for me, with the Dickson was the far right corner of the body fouling the work when partially rotated. I know the theory is that the toolpost is pinned at 90 degrees but I struggle when using hss tooling, as opposed to insert tools. I seriously considered cutting a corner off!

Most recent fitment was a genuine size C on the Harrison M400. This was s/h from Home & Workshop with 4 holders, albeit 2 for boring bars. Two more plain holders came from the same supplier and I've bought a few more from eBay vendors ( UK based, selling used holders). I may have been lucky, as opposed to cautious, but all have fitted fine.

I'd also like to pay tribute to Home & Workshop. I enquired about a C post at Warwick show several years ago. (They had a D on the stand). The following spring I went to Doncaster to be met with "Are you still looking for a Multifix? We've got one put aside in case you are." Pretty good going, considering I only buy odd bits and pieces from them at the shows and hadn't asked then to reserve a C for me.

Usual disclaimer, with regard to all the traders I've mentioned.

As you will gather, I do like Multifix QCTPs. I've got to them gradually and to be fair to the Dickson type, I did use good clones for several years on both a Super7 and a Kerry AG23

Mike

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

Hi, could someone advise on size suitability, on Rotagrip's website, it has a size A kit, it shows the tool holder as 90mm in length, the next size up is showing as an E? With 100mm length tool holders, is this a mistake? Should this be size B?

The tool post will be for my Boxford industrial 11.30, so a similar size machine to maybe a Harrison m250.

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

Hi Pete, yes it is a bit confusing.

The sizes are generally Aa A E B C D1 D2 plus Pewetools do an Aaa Ab & AS

there is an old multifix catalog Here:

Also the tool holders come in different lengths eg for the A size you can get 75,80&90mm.

Generally you need 3 things to work out the best size:

1) the distance between the surface of the top compound slide and the centre line of the Chuck

2) the width of the the top compound slide

3) the output of the motor

Also depending on what size tooling you have, 12,16,20mm etc for the size of the holders

An AD2090 tool holder for instance would generally be a 20m holder, 90mm in length 

Edited By Steve Lawes on 11/11/2020 04:49:14

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

Correction to my last post the Ab size is not available from Pewe but from Paulimot

Good size guide here:

Pewetools

 

 

Edited By Steve Lawes on 11/11/2020 05:48:02

[Steve LawesParticipant @stevelawes]

Reading the Pewetools blurb, they claim that the teeth of the tool holders and posts are cut by wire-EDM to finished dimension as opposed to grinding like the others…

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