Lathe Carbide Insert Tools

[Toolmaker51]

Thanks Paul, I checked all of the QCTP holders that I have to verify that they were in fact dog point. They are all dog points, however it seems that quality is a bit lax. The dog is not flat! I guess that is why they are leaving marks on my tools. I will keep an eye out for a box lot special and pick up at least 50 of them.
John

Besides Allen Co, probably best manufacturer for socket head screws of any variety is Brighton-Best. They've been purchased by an offshore corporate structure; however I detect NO reduction in quality from first box [early 70's] I ever used against a box I depleted just days ago. https://www.brightonbest.com/contact.html. They have a distributor network but justifies specifying them in your order.
Most fastener houses list continent an item is sourced from or quality level. SHSS are equivalent to Gr8. You want alloy steel, NOT stainless. A bit of anti-seize on the threads will let them burnish in use and last forever, MOL.

Per Machinists Handbook, flat set screws are available in
1. actual flat point and chamfered thread.
2. [full] dog point extending a cylindrical portion beyond thread less than minor diameter roughly 3x thread pitch in length
3. half dog point, identical features but cylindrical length is roughly 1/2 as long.

re QCTP's; If you replace screws insure screw length engages all available threads in holder. 100 and 200 AXA's meant for smaller shanks may not get 100% when dog point begins in female threads of holder. I recommend flat points as they bear on threads and point to largest degree possible.

A lot of insert tooling is softer than what was standard a few years ago and dents represent that. Dents cause alignment to shift when screw point seeks that 'pocket'. Stone top of shank enough to flatten out 'rim' of the craters. There also is tendency to over tighten. Alleviate both with cleanly sheared steel strapping or blue shim stock .010+/ .254mm+ thick.
During set up they'll slide smoothly while minimal tension is administered by set screws, after which are tightened. Needless to ever be more than comfortably applied by that size short arm Allen wrench.