Gunsmithing AXA Quick Change Toolpost Question?

[ken226]

About 2 months ago I ordered an OXA toolpost from Amtools.com and unfortunately for me I didn't do any research on the company.

So a few days ago, after 2 months of no toolpost, no contact or communications, no tracking number, no answers to my emails, I filed a paypal claim to try and get my money back and ordered another toolpost from a more reputable ebay seller.

When I ordered my second toolpost, I opted for a bigger AXA wedge type. The ebay ad says its good for lathes with a center height from .6 up to 1.75.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AXA-Wedge-T...6?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item3f2dc787f4

My lathes center height is .850, so I thought that would be a better option since its a bit bigger and more rigid. My own independent research though, from Aloris is showing that the AXA needs a niminum center height of 15/16, or .9375. If this is the case, I won't be able to get the holder low enough with 1/2 in tooling to get it on center.

Littlemachineshop.com shows the AXA being good for center heights of .875 and above, which would still be a problem for me since the distance from the top of my compound rest to the spindle center is .850.

I was hoping someone here would be able to measure the thickness of the bottom of one of their AXA holders. The part the 1/2 hss cutting tool would actually be pressed against by the securing screws. Basically, i'm hoping for firsthand information from someone who actually has one, since my online info seems rather inconsistent.

The thickness of the bottom of the holder should be the same as the distance from the top of the compound rest, to the bottom of the HSS cutter. With that info i'll know if I can use 1/2 in tooling, 3/8 in tooling, etc.

Anyone have one they can mic for me?

Would the OXA have been a better option after all?

 

[waste_knot]

Does this help
http://www.aloris.com/catalog/aloris_p2-3.pdf

I measured a tool holder. 0.445 from the base to the bottom of the tool holding slot. This would be the lowest possible setting height for the tool.

 

[ken226]

Does this help
http://www.aloris.com/catalog/aloris_p2-3.pdf

I measured a tool holder. 0.445 from the base to the bottom of the tool holding slot. This would be the lowest possible setting height for the tool.

Yes, that is exactly the info I was looking for. It looks like i'll be limited to 3/8 tooling with this holder.

With the holder bottom being .445 + 1/2 inch for the tool thickness id have a lowest setting of .945, which would put me at .095 above center. If I use 3/8 tooling I would have 3/8 (.375) + the bottom of the holder (.445) putting the lowest setting at .820 (.05 below center). This would give me a reasonable range of adjustment below and above center.

luckily I have lots of 3/8 HSS blanks already.

In your opinion, do you think i'd be better off with an AXA and 3/8 tooling or an OXA and 1/2 in tooling?

 

[waste_knot]

Now I'm not sure which Aloris size I gave you the dimension for. Got mine from Grizzly series 100 (G5689) which is their smallest for lathes up to 10" I have a Logan 400 9"

 

[ridgeway]

What lathe and swing?

I have an AXA tool post on a 12x36 and used everything from a 1/4" HSS bits to 3/4" cemented carbide tool bits. AXA is pretty much sized perfect for my asian lathe!

 

[ken226]

Waste_knot, the Grizzly 100 series QCTP is an AXA, so your specs should be correct, same dimensions as the one I ordered. If its the AXA size, the holder will have part numbers like 250-101, 250-102 etc on them.

My lathe is a Smithy AT-300, which I believe later became the Midas 1220. It is a 12 inch x 20. The measurement from the top edge of the compound rest up to the tailstock center point is .850 in.

By my calculations, using waste_knots measurement of .445 bottom ledge thickness on his AXA holder, a cutting tool .405 inches thick would put the top edge on my lathes spindle center. Anything smaller could be adjusted up on center easily. Anything bigger would bottom out still above center and be unusable.

In a pinch, if I really need to use 1/2 in tooling, I could mill .1 off the bottom of a holder, then I could lower it enough to get it on center. Or since my lathe is metric, 3mm should do it.

I should easily be able to use 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 tooling and metric 8mm and 10mm tooling. 1/2 in and bigger will be above center with the holder at its lowest setting.