Accusize Industrial Tools- QCTP
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For many new machining practitioners and hobbyists, there are always questions about the machines and accessories. But most have noticed that there is a set of tools called quick change tool set that can significantly increase your work efficiency by replacing the traditional tool post. Therefore, some problems happened while trying to select the correct tool style and to install the tool post. Today we are going to talk about the series of problems starting with the quick change tool post. Since we are talking about QCT (quick change tool) set, having a lathe is necessary to participate in this discussion. This article will not teach you all the detailed specifications of a lathe, however, some of the parameters must be mentioned here. |
Installation of the quick change tool post is also annoying for some people. There is something that you need to pay attention to before installing your newly purchased QCT set: the tool post is installed at a tee slot on the carriage of the lathe. The tool post may not perfectly fit the tee slot because there are hundreds of types of lathe models and each of them has its own tee slot size so that the newly purchased tool post sometimes needs to be machined, mostly on the bottom plate, to fit your carriage.
To all our customers, we often require a parameter when they asked about what kind of QCT set they are supposed to choose, which is called lathe swing. This parameter refers to the maximum diameter of work the lathe can machine. If this number is not given, it can be simply calculated by double the measured distance from the center of the spindle to the bed. With this number, according to our catalogue, you can finally find the right product for your lathe. For example, if the measured number from the spindle to the bed is 6.5 inches, then the lathe has a 13-inch swing, which means BXA Style will be the one that best fit. A wrongly chosen QCT set could cause serious problems while machining.
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Maybe you have noticed that we have 2 different types(see picture below), wedge and piston, and 5 different styles of quick change tool set, which are 0XA, AXA, BXA, CXA and CA. Usually, wedge type tool post is believed that it holds the tool holders tighter than the piston type tool post. However, the piston type tool post is somewhat cheaper than the wedge type tool post. We would recommend piston type tool posts to those who operate less heavy duty machining work to save money. The 5 different styles are related to the very important parameter mentioned above, lathe swing. For example, the lathe swing value you have measured is between 6”-12”, then the AXA style quick change tool set will be good for use. To be more specific, if the measure of your lathe swing is 11”, then both AXA style and BXA style QCT set would be appropriate for your lathe. However, in this case, to fully take advantage of your very lathe, we highly recommend the BXA style QCT set instead of AXA style. The larger your tool post is, the more options you have in your machining work. For example, the maximum shank size for usual AXA style tool holders is 0.5 inch and is 0.625 inch for BXA style. If we include the XL turning and facing holder, the maximum shank size for AXA and BXA can reach 0.625 inch and 0.75 inch respectively. A larger shank size generally brings higher efficiency to the machining work and is also more durable than a smaller tool. So, when your lathe is ready for two different sizes QCT set, just choose the larger one. A standard set of quick change tool set includes 6 pieces in total. The biggest one in a set is the quick change tool post, which is designed to replace the original 4-way tool post on your lathe. All other holders in this set will eventually be installed on the tool post. The rest of the tool holders are:
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The #1 holder is the most often used holder for almost all kinds of external machining blades, including external threading tools, external grooving tools, cut-off tools and knurling tools. |
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The #2 holder looks like the #1 holder but has a v-groove at the bottom of the holding area. This v-groove enables the #2 holder to hold a cylindrical shank tool such as a boring bar. To perform internal machining, the #2 holder is necessary. It also holds all blades that #1 holder can hold. |
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The #4 holder is designed especially for cylindrical shank with a split bushing to accommodate a smaller size shank. The advantage here is that even an AXA style #4 holder can hold a tool with as large as ¾ inch shank diameter, which increases the machining efficiency somewhat. |  |
The #7 holder is for only universal parting blade and nothing else. |
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The #10 holder generally holds the same blades as the #1 holder does, but it also has a knurling tool at one end, which is a featured function but limited the length of the blade to be held. |
Other than the 5 tool post holders mentioned above, Accusize also carries another 2 different types of tool post holders, which are:
- Morse Taper Holder #5
- Oversize Turning and Facing Holder #1 XL (now only for AXA and BXA)
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The #5 holder allows you to use your drills with carriage by taking advantage of a power feed instead of the tailstock. |  |
The oversize #1 XL holder can hold 1/8 inch larger shank than usual #1 holders, which increases the machining efficiency. |
Above is the introduction to a full set of quick change tools. Should you have any further questions, please contact us without any hesitation.
For our end users’ convenience, Accusize Industrial Tools now newly released an upgraded quick change tool post set, which includes extra 2 pieces oversize turning & facing tool holders. Now searching 0251-0118(upgraded AXA style) and 0251-0228(upgraded BXA style) on Accusize.com to get more information.
