QCTP holders for a Phase 2 0XA tool post

**mattthemuppet** · Aug 2, 2016, 03:05 PM

First post on here

I bought this post a while back with a couple of turning holders, a 3/8 boring bar holder and a parting holder. Although super handy, I often have to swap tools out of holders which defeats the purpose of the QCTP. I got hold of a 2x1x6in piece of mystery steel and started turning it into tool holders.

Not many pics, but I roughed the slot for the dovetail first, then cut the dovetail (had to make a new carbide insert dovetail cutter first). I then cut off 1in blanks from both ends, faced the ends and the new blanks, then kept cutting.

After that it was a simple (!) case of cutting slots, drilling and tapping holes. I made the adjuster knobs out of 1/2 in alu rod that I cut grooves in with a ball end mill using my hex ER25 collet chuck. The finishes on the holders aren't great, but all the milling work was done (very very slowly) on a drill press with XY vise and collet chuck. These took a VERY long time and cost me 3 end mills. Next ones will be made out of alu

QCTP holders for a Phase 2 0XA tool post-img_5069.jpg

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QCTP holders for a Phase 2 0XA tool post-img_5167.jpg

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once I get the next lot done, I'll have all the tools I use in holders and the plans to make more if I need them.

thanks for looking!

**Paul Jones** · Aug 2, 2016, 04:11 PM

mattthemuppet,

Great first time post and lots of photos for us to look at. This project is very encouraging for those who do not own or have access to a milling machine. I like the fact you did the machining with a drill press and only the XY vise and collet chuck. I am looking forward to seeing more projects from your lathe now that you have expanded your tool holder collection.

Regards, Paul Jones

**mattthemuppet** · Aug 2, 2016, 04:45 PM

thanks Paul, that's very kind! Although I desperately want a milling machine the DP lets me do a lot of stuff I otherwise wouldn't be able to do. I spent a lot of time reworking the HF XY vise, which helps a lot, and added a treadmill motor+rpm sensor to the DP, which made a huge difference. I can't tell you how pumped I am to have those extra tool holders, can't wait to finish the rest!

**PJs** · Aug 3, 2016, 11:35 AM

Well Done, Mattthemuppet! Love that old Walker DP and that you took on the HFT XY table reboot for your shop. That treadmill mod is something I've wanted to do since I saw Cap'n Leeward do it to his. Would love to see the carbide dovetail cutter you made. Great use of what you had to get it done. Way Handy. Thanks for the great first post and inspirations! ~PJ

**mattthemuppet** · Aug 3, 2016, 12:26 PM

thanks PJ, here it is:

QCTP holders for a Phase 2 0XA tool post-img_4996.jpg

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I also added pics of a couple of other useful attachments I made, although these were done with an O1 cutter. That worked ok in aluminium but died a very quick death in steel! The DTI holder has had alot of use, the cross drilling holder none yet, but I'm sure it'll be super useful for that rare job that needs it.

The XY vise still isn't great - the moving jaw lifts and it gets very tight at both extremes of the Y travel, but it's better than what it was. The thrust and roller bearings plus the brass jibs help a lot. I'll have to post up the treadmill mod when I get a moment, it's really transformative even just for drilling holes. Going from 250rpm for a countersink to 1500rpm for a small drill is just a twist of the dial.

**PJs** · Aug 3, 2016, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the Pics. Excellent idea for the cutter and pretty simple to make. Did you use TCMT inserts for it? I get it about the XY vice. Usually the gibs are made from beer cans and never straight or flat. Interesting that you put thrust and rollers on it. I would imagine it's at least 80% better than it was. It's a ton of work to get the kinks out of some of that stuff.

Thanks Much and look forward to your next posts. ~PJ

**mr95gst** · Aug 5, 2016, 09:10 AM

Nice tools. I foresee myself making a QCTP in the near future. Tell me about your treadmill motor conversion. What is your power supply and what are you using to control the speed?

**mattthemuppet** · Aug 5, 2016, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by mr95gst

Nice tools. I foresee myself making a QCTP in the near future. Tell me about your treadmill motor conversion. What is your power supply and what are you using to control the speed?

thanks, there are a lot of different QCTP plans out there, so I'm sure you'll find one that suits.

here's the write up on my treadmill motor upgrade. I can't post on HM any more, so if you have any Qs post them up here. I'd recommend it to anyone, variable speed is the best upgrade you can do on a machine tool in my opinion link.

**PJs** · Aug 7, 2016, 01:09 PM

here's the write up on my treadmill motor upgrade. I can't post on HM any more, so if you have any Qs post them up here. I'd recommend it to anyone, variable speed is the best upgrade you can do on a machine tool in my opinion link.

Nice write up on the DP upgrade, Matt. Enjoyed some of the humor and trials and tribulations you fought through. Great job! Thanks for sharing it here!! ~PJ

**mattthemuppet** · Aug 7, 2016, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by PJs

Nice write up on the DP upgrade, Matt. Enjoyed some of the humor and trials and tribulations you fought through. Great job! Thanks for sharing it here!! ~PJ

thanks PJ! That was my 2nd treadmill upgrade (put one on my Atlas 618) so some things like the wiring were quicker, but there were plenty of other things to sort out that kept me thinking. I also found out that I can, just, swing 7in on my lathe

Finished some more holders last night, this time out of aluminium. Did power tapping in the DP and used a roll form tap, both for the 1st time, which saved me a HUGE amount of time. These holders are all for smaller or more rarely used tools - couple of form tools, threading tool, 8mm SCLR turning/ facing tool and a 6mm boring bar. Need to make a holder to hang them up on the wall and finish the tool holder for my dremel then I should be done with tool holders for a while. Then it's onto the next project!