Tooling for lathe?

WisJim · #1 03/10/10, 08:37 AM

I have a 12" Atlas lathe, and have some tooling for it, but in looking at tool holders etc for this size of lath, it looks like it might be worth getting a quick change tool holder. My question is, does anyone have experience with any of the multitude of brands and suppliers of ones like a Phase II AXA size 100 QCTP? From reading some other discussions on other lists it sounds like that is the size that I need for that lathe, and that some of the cheaper "imitations" of that style of QCTP work well. I am interested in your experience and recommendations. I have looked at Shars, CDCO, H&H, Grizzly, Enco, etc., and find quite a variety.

4nTN · #2 03/10/10, 05:47 PM

Aloris is the benchmark for tool holders, most are patterned after them. MSC and Enco usually have good prices. Make sure you get the smallest. also get at leat two holders for turning one for boring and one for knurling. usually they will have a beginners package. Also get tooling with inserts...no more grinding tool bits .I have a Monarch EE toolmakers lathe, feel free to ask me any questions you may have...4nTN's DH

farminghandyman · #3 03/10/10, 11:27 PM

I have used Enco for the most part, yes most is foreign parts but I have a old Senica 13" lathe, and it is larger than the atlas I think you have and feel the quality of the things I have bought in the past have been more than adequate for home use and light commercial use,

sammyd · #4 03/11/10, 04:00 AM

Place I worked at ran anything from small lathes to large machine centers. They shopped at Enco and MSC.

WisJim · #5 03/11/10, 09:16 AM

Thanks for the responses!
Any thoughts on the QCTP from CDCO? On sale for $78 for the tool post and 5 tool holders, plus $14 shipping. http://www.cdcotools.com/ go to "machine tool tooling', then to "lathe tooling". We also have a Seneca 13" lathe but don't use it as often as the Atlas 12" lathe.

I got a deal I couldn't pass up on a mill-drill (Grizzly G1126 with vise, 2 sets of collets, lots of tooling, for $600. http://www.grizzly.com/products/g1126.) It was on Craigs list in a nearby town, and I happened to see the listing within minutes of it being posted, called right away, and bought it. And it happened when I had sold a rare collectible tool for $600, and was looking for some kind of small milling machine. I got a lot bigger one than I thought I could afford! So I may have some milling questions soon.