"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions"....(Finally upgrading my tool post)

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,317
2,612
113
Michigan
Ok...Well, the journey to add a "Top and Tilt" DPOCV is still under way, but a much needed "upgrade" to the Atlas needs to finally get done.

I have been putting this off for many, many years for "one of a thousand reasons".

Many, many moons ago, when I bought my Chi-Com lathe, it came with a sad little tool post.

So one of the "upgrades" I did was to make a "tool post holder modification" , to accept a Quick Change tool post.

It was one of my first projects and it is just flat out SAD.......It "works....kinda OK'ish" but if I was in machine shop class, I would be sitting in the corner wearing a "Dunce" hat......LOL

I'll edit this post when I take pics of my "sad little tool post holder"



However the actual QC tool post set up would be a nice upgrade to the Atlas.

The lathe is somewhat ancient.

Aside : (I believe it is from the early, early fifties because it has an "oil dauber" on the tailstock. According to Tublacain (aka mrpete222 on youtube) the "oil dauber" was quickly eliminated from the Atlas tailstock after a short period of time therefore indicating that it was part of the "first run" production.)

The original "lantern" style tool post works well, but switching between lathe bits would be a whole lot easier/faster with a QC model. Here's a pic of the original.

I apologize in advance for all the "over exposed" pics.

20230916_122247[1].jpg


Here's the one I want to replace it with.


20230916_122327[1].jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,317
2,612
113
Michigan
So first off I notice that if it sits flat on the "cross compound" I will have to use the "upper limit" of the adjustment threads, because it sits a little low.

20230916_122400[1].jpg



Therefore adding a "big a$$ shim" to the base would make it so that I could use more of the "middle adjustment" area.

I have found that most tools/things just seem to work better in the "middle" instead of at either extreme, so this is the "planned" addition.

20230916_122437[1].jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,317
2,612
113
Michigan
Just by luck, I found the original base for the QC tool post, and of course its not even close to fitting into the cross compound.

20230916_122523[1].jpg


Now if you think I don't know what I am doing on a lathe, well just pull up a chair Mr. and watch this sh!t, cause you ain't seen nothing yet!!!

I have had this Chi-Com mill the longest of all my "machines" and it is still the least understood to me.

I should have taken "a class" at the local community college, like I did with the TIG welder, but for whatever reason, I just continue to "grunt it out", and keep the "end mill" suppliers in business.

I am basically just making this rectangle into a T-nut, so I set up to take the first pass, but quickly learn that it is gonna hit the vice.

20230916_124109[1].jpg


Next so I grab a "parallel" to rest it on, and then clamp it with the vice.

20230916_124058[1].jpg


Now I am ready for the "big cut".

20230916_124302[1].jpg
 

Yooper

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
3901 LA525
May 31, 2015
1,517
518
113
NE Wisconsin
I have the same lathe and I will keep it until the day I expire. Just too handy! Good luck with the QC tool post. Got them on all my lathes and once you get used to them there is no looking back
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,365
4,219
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
Just by luck, I found the original base for the QC tool post, and of course its not even close to fitting into the cross compound.

View attachment 111890

Now if you think I don't know what I am doing on a lathe, well just pull up a chair Mr. and watch this sh!t, cause you ain't seen nothing yet!!!

I have had this Chi-Com mill the longest of all my "machines" and it is still the least understood to me.

I should have taken "a class" at the local community college, like I did with the TIG welder, but for whatever reason, I just continue to "grunt it out", and keep the "end mill" suppliers in business.

I am basically just making this rectangle into a T-nut, so I set up to take the first pass, but quickly learn that it is gonna hit the vice.

View attachment 111891

Next so I grab a "parallel" to rest it on, and then clamp it with the vice.

View attachment 111892

Now I am ready for the "big cut".

View attachment 111893
Those little round column mills are pretty easy to use and can be handy as hell but they have some bad habits.

  1. Make sure the column clamps are GutenTight or the cutting tool will pull the head around and quietly ruin your setup. They have even been known to pivot violently under cutting forces and that is really exciting. o_O
  2. The table lead screws do not have backlash eliminators and the tables are very light so climb milling like you are setup for tends to create slack in the feed mechanism and then all of a sudden the work piece gets pulled violently into the cutter. You have to feed very carefully or bad things can happen.
Dan
 

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,317
2,612
113
Michigan
During a "momentary lapse of reason" I decide that it will be a good idea to use this big a$$ end mil cause its pretty new and sharp, OH AND I decide to crank up the speed to "Fu@@ing Full Stupid"

My excuse is that I had just watched an ad for a "Personnel CNC" machine that can cut 30 lbs. of metal per hour, and was feeling "Spunky" I guess......

Well....about .235 seconds into the the cut, I hear this odd noise as the coolant starts bellowing smoke, and a shower of sparks makes it look like the Goshdamn Macy's 4th of July fireworks.

No pics of that happening as I was ducking for cover.....

Here is the "proof"

20230916_130448[1].jpg


After turning the machine down to a "reasonable speed" I find an endmill that should work, and take 3 passes instead of trying to "hog it out" in one pass. (BTW you can see the "blue chips" from the Macy's Day Event on the vice.)

I did it kind of ass-backwards, because I should have milled the "T" part of it, before taking it out of the vice and milling the other side , but oh well.

20230916_141341[1].jpg


20230916_141341[1].jpg
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,365
4,219
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
During a "momentary lapse of reason" I decide that it will be a good idea to use this big a$$ end mil cause its pretty new and sharp, OH AND I decide to crank up the speed to "Fu@@ing Full Stupid"

My excuse is that I had just watched an ad for a "Personnel CNC" machine that can cut 30 lbs. of metal per hour, and was feeling "Spunky" I guess......

Well....about .235 seconds into the the cut, I hear this odd noise as the coolant starts bellowing smoke, and a shower of sparks makes it look like the Goshdamn Macy's 4th of July fireworks.

No pics of that happening as I was ducking for cover.....

Here is the "proof"

View attachment 111894

After turning the machine down to a "reasonable speed" I find an endmill that should work, and take 3 passes instead of trying to "hog it out" in one pass. (BTW you can see the "blue chips" from the Macy's Day Event on the vice.)

I did it kind of ass-backwards, because I should have milled the "T" part of it, before taking it out of the vice and milling the other side , but oh well.

View attachment 111896

View attachment 111896
Those little round column mills are handy as hell but they have some limitations. One is the feed screws do not have backlash eliminators so climb milling is a dicey operation. As you just discovered as you advance the table you develop slack in the feed mechanism and then suddenly the cutting forces jerk the table violently into the cutter and very bad things happen. It s not so much your choice of cutter or feed speed - its your choice of setup that got you in trouble.

Dan
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,317
2,612
113
Michigan
In the end it worked out.

It's not "zero tolerance" good, but I think it will work.

20230916_142000[1].jpg


20230916_141708[1].jpg


The post fits nice and flush with the bottom so I'm happy.



20230916_142248[1].jpg


20230916_142255[1].jpg



This took a little longer than anticipated, so I made the "Command Decision" to just us it as is, instead of making the "big a$$ shim". If I need the shim, I will do it, but lets see how this works for now.


The end.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,365
4,219
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
In the end it worked out.

It's not "zero tolerance" good, but I think it will work.

View attachment 111897

View attachment 111898

The post fits nice and flush with the bottom so I'm happy.



View attachment 111899

View attachment 111900


This took a little longer than anticipated, so I made the "Command Decision" to just us it as is, instead of making the "big a$$ shim". If I need the shim, I will do it, but lets see how this works for now.


The end.
You don't need any great precision on something like that and as long as you can get the cutting tool height set right you don't need a shim.

Dan
 

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,317
2,612
113
Michigan
I have the same lathe and I will keep it until the day I expire. Just too handy! Good luck with the QC tool post. Got them on all my lathes and once you get used to them there is no looking back
I agree.

If I were to get a another lathe, I doubt I would get rid of this one.

I am loving the QC post so far.

But damn it.......Now I gotta buy more QC holders....It's a vicious cycle.... :cry:
 

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,317
2,612
113
Michigan
Those little round column mills are pretty easy to use and can be handy as hell but they have some bad habits.

  1. Make sure the column clamps are GutenTight or the cutting tool will pull the head around and quietly ruin your setup. They have even been known to pivot violently under cutting forces and that is really exciting. o_O
  2. The table lead screws do not have backlash eliminators and the tables are very light so climb milling like you are setup for tends to create slack in the feed mechanism and then all of a sudden the work piece gets pulled violently into the cutter. You have to feed very carefully or bad things can happen.
Dan
Dan, you should change your screen name to "Nostradamus" LOL

All of that has happened to me.

"Climb milling" is somewhat of an enigma to me.....

I kind of understand the the "climbing part" when the bit is smaller than the work.

But if the cutter is bigger than the work, what are you climbing?

Paul
 
Last edited:

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,365
4,219
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
Dan, you should change your screen name to "Nostradamus" LOL

All of that has happened to me.

"Climb milling" is some what of an enigma to me.....

I kind of understand the the "climbing part" when the bit is smaller than the work.

But if the cutter is bigger than the work, what are you climbing?

Paul
Climb milling is not about tool size. Climb milling is when you are feeding work in the same direction as cutter rotation. Conventional lead screws and nuts have significant backlash and as that gap opens it allows the cutter to abruptly pull the work piece into the cutter = super fast feed rate and broken cutter.

climb-milling-overview[1].jpg



Dan
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Lil Foot

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
May 19, 2011
7,459
2,460
113
Peoria, AZ
QC toolpost is one of the best mods you can put on a lathe.
Increases efficiency & speed tremendously.
Now you will have to start collecting toolholders. :)
IMG_0087.JPG
IMG_0001 1.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,365
4,219
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
QC toolpost is one of the best mods you can put on a lathe.
Increases efficiency & speed tremendously.
Now you will have to start collecting toolholders. :)
View attachment 111948
Boys and their toys - I have been derelict in the cleanup - don't tell mama :D
The quick change spindle tooling can really break the bank....

Dan

20230918_185333[1].jpg


Untitled.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

BXHoosier

Well-known member

Equipment
BX24
Jan 21, 2018
476
542
93
Indiana
QC tool post is the only way to go. I despise the old lantern/ rocker tool posts. It’s been probably 25 yrs since I’ve used one.
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,365
4,219
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
I thought I had a lot of QC lathe tool holders! (y)
Actually those are BXA holders for my 14" lathe. Another collection of AXA holders for the 11" lathe. All cheap Taiwanese - I don't do anything that requires Aloris accuracy. Lathe has more slop in it than that anyway.. Here is the best thing I ever did for the lathe
20201105_135438.jpg

20201107_164527.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Lil Foot

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
May 19, 2011
7,459
2,460
113
Peoria, AZ
My 12x36 uses BXA also.
I had a single scale & readout on the Z axis of the 9x20 Enco that I sold to NIW.
Been kicking myself ever since. Should have kept it for the X axis of the 12x36 Birmingham.
DOH!

IMG_0075.JPG
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user