- Joined
- Feb 22, 2012
- Messages
- 924
After upgrading my lathe I was faced with getting my QCTP to fit on the new cross slide. I had originally had it on a 9x20 asian lathe and had an adaptor stud that threaded on top of the OEM stud, and the QCTP mounted onto that. this adapter stud is metric and I do not have any taps to thread the nuts to fit it or I would have used it.
What I ended up doing based on some recommendations here is make my own stud and use the dies that I do have for the threaded parts and for the t-nut and locking nut.
I made a T-nut to a snug fit into my cross slide out of 1018 CRS:
For the locking nut I turned down 1018 CRS to match the radius of the QCTP top, chamfered the top of the nut for a more pleasing look, and threaded a piece of toolsteel I had from a previous project as the locking lever at half the angle of the top chamfer for more torque:
I really like the finish quality that comes off of this lathe compared to the previous 9x20 lathe (all the turning here were done manually without auto-feed - especially the bevel)
As for the stud, I turned down a 3/4" CRS round to a snug fit in the QCTP, then turned both ends to about 0.498" and threaded both ends to 1/2 20 as well as drilled and tapped the t-nut and locking nut to a matching 1/2 20 UNF thread:
All in all, finish on the stud could be better, but I had it rotated in the chuck while threading which caused some markings on it - not too bad, it'll be hidden and not affect it's performance.
works great and I not only can now use my QCTP, but can also lock it without the need for a wrench which is very convenient:
I figured if anyone is in need of a similar project, or is in a similar situation, this might make it easier to see what can be done and just go for it.
Enjoy!
What I ended up doing based on some recommendations here is make my own stud and use the dies that I do have for the threaded parts and for the t-nut and locking nut.
I made a T-nut to a snug fit into my cross slide out of 1018 CRS:
For the locking nut I turned down 1018 CRS to match the radius of the QCTP top, chamfered the top of the nut for a more pleasing look, and threaded a piece of toolsteel I had from a previous project as the locking lever at half the angle of the top chamfer for more torque:
I really like the finish quality that comes off of this lathe compared to the previous 9x20 lathe (all the turning here were done manually without auto-feed - especially the bevel)
As for the stud, I turned down a 3/4" CRS round to a snug fit in the QCTP, then turned both ends to about 0.498" and threaded both ends to 1/2 20 as well as drilled and tapped the t-nut and locking nut to a matching 1/2 20 UNF thread:
All in all, finish on the stud could be better, but I had it rotated in the chuck while threading which caused some markings on it - not too bad, it'll be hidden and not affect it's performance.
works great and I not only can now use my QCTP, but can also lock it without the need for a wrench which is very convenient:
I figured if anyone is in need of a similar project, or is in a similar situation, this might make it easier to see what can be done and just go for it.
Enjoy!