Since I got my 7x12 lathe, I had been using 2"x2" chunks of steel with a center hole, a milled cut on the side and some capscrews to lock in a tool. These had the virtue of being simple, but lacked any adjustment except by shimming. So, I finally decided to build a simple QCTP. I started with a chunk of 2"x2" hot rolled steel and drilled a hole in the center to fit the stud on the lathe. I then cut a female dovetail in the side, first with an endmill, then with a 1" dovetail cutter. Most of the tool holders that I have seen use a male dovetail, but I thought that this would make clamping the tool holders simpler. I then took a 1' length of 1 1/2"x2" hot rolled and milled a male dovetail the full length, sneaking up on the final dimension so that the previously made female dovetail would just slide down the length of it. This was to be used for the tool holders. Having fit this, I prepared the 2"x2" piece to clamp the dovetails by first drilling a #7 hole perpendicular to, and behind the dovetail deep enough to thread behind the dovetail cut, then drilled a vertical hole toward the back of the piece, and sawed a slot from the inside of the dovetail back to this hole. I then clearance drilled the #7 hole down to the saw cut and threaded beyond that 1/4"-20 and fitted an adjustable handle to clamp the dovetail slot smaller. Hopefully the pictures will make that clear.
