Myford – Dickson tool holders

[MilesParticipant @miles]

Hello all

 

Could I ask you opinion on the following matter

 

I need to buy some tools holders for genuine myford tool post and there is quite a selection to choose from, so far I have found

 

– J&L MSC TQC-17001L @ £35

– RGD @ £14

– Chronos @ £15

– Tilgear @ £21

 

I would be grateful for your opinion on the best choice regards build quality ?

 

Thank you very much

Miles

[MilesParticipant @miles]

A discussion on Myford compatible Dickson tool holders

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

I’d recommend you phone the companies concerned and ask them directly which brand they stock. The cheap ones are probably chinese or indian. The J&L ones I think are made by TOS but whatever, they’re actually OK. Never has it been truer that you will get what you pay for. The weakest aspect of the cheap ones is that the drilling and tapping for studs is wanting and certainly the height adjusting stud is not very high ternsile and bends easily.

[Roger VaneParticipant @rogervane67137]

I’ve bought two batches of 5 holders from Chronos… around a tenner each buying them that way.

 

On the plus side the price is very competitive, they are hard and I have found no problems with the studs, but on the minus side they are dimensionally inconsistent – no excuses with modern production equipment.

 

I found that the tee for the clamp varied somewhat in depth meaning that the clamp lever pulled-up in different positions for holders in the batch – no big deal, but some were very tight on the clamp in the unlocked position – possibly my toolpost (Bison) is also inaccurate to drawing.

 

The most frustrating variation is the ‘height’ at the bottom of the tool-slot which is quite variable, leaving some 10mm shank tools above centre height when the holder is at it’s lowest possible position. Managed to overcome the problem by ‘mixing and matching” toolholders to tools. Also, at the lowest position I’ve found that the adjustment thimble is almost off the stud – had to make a few specials.

 

Guess that you pay your money and take your choice – good luck!.

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

Try Rotagrip they have Myford Dickson holder see Here

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I’ve also bought the packs of 5 from Chronos and found that to get them to sit correctly on the angled faces a bit had to be ground off behind where the retaining cam holds them. Apart from that quick job they work fine. And yes my holder is a genuine one.

 

J

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

I bought half a dozen from RDG and apart from them being a bit tight on the toolpost…..easily resolved with about a minute each with a file on the mating surface,

they have been OK in use. So much so that I then bought another batch and curiously, they all fitted the toolpost perfectly. There isn’t much to go wrong is there….and high tensile capheads are not that dear if you want to replace them and you should still come out in front.

 

Still, as Roger says, you pays your money………………………………………….

Edited By mick H on 09/08/2011 18:25:59

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Hi Miles, I too have bought from Chronos and concur with the above comments regarding fit. I had to machine about 0.030″ of the back of the T to make it clear the main block before the V ‘s located wrote to Chronos about it as well–I think they are made by Soba? Also no where near as hard as the genuine Dickson ones–I machined them with a carbide cutter with ease.

Also bought some TOS ones for a Smart and Brown 1024 lathe and these were spot on and properly hardened.

 

Chronos good value and I’m sure the other brand will be as well but you can’t beat the genuine article.

 

Regards John

[MilesParticipant @miles]

Hello all

 

Thank you all so much for your thoughts on this matter..

To update everyone

Weston Tooling No longer stock Dickson tooling

 

– RGD @ £14

This price seems to be fixed regardless of quantity

 

– Chronos @ £15

This can be purchased for £10 in orders of 5

 

– Tilgear @ £21

Only have two in stock and are made in Indian

Further stock will be available in 2 months

 

Currently I am considering moving to the Multifix system, does anyone have experience of this system ? Should I start a new thread ?

Have a good weekend

Miles

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