New Tool Post for 618

[MillersvilleProf]

I have been meaning to make a new tool post for my Craftsman 618 lathe for awhile now. The tiny lantern is hard to adjust and I feel the quick change tool post I have is just a step away from a broken cross slide and not ridgid enough, and ridgidity is not something you can spare with these tiny 6" lathes.

Basic design machined out of a block of 1018 I had lying around and s definite improvement over the other tool posts that I have.

 

[silverhawk]

I have been meaning to make a new tool post for my Craftsman 618 lathe for awhile now. The tiny lantern is hard to adjust and I feel the quick change tool post I have is just a step away from a broken cross slide and not ridgid enough, and ridgidity is not something you can spare with these tiny 6" lathes.

Basic design machined out of a block of 1018 I had lying around and s definite improvement over the other tool posts that I have.

Looks great!

joe

 

[dodge lancer 1962]

 

[WCraig]

WOW! What a dressed-up Atlas/Craftsman 6 inch!!

Questions:

1) What is the white ring on the cross-feed? An enhanced scale?

2) What is the corrugated way cover material. Looks like a great idea.

3) Have you posted more details on your adjustable stop?

4) That looks like an import 3-jaw chuck. I'm still nursing along the original 3-jaw but it is rather bell-mouthed. How would you rate yours? Is the concentricity good? Solid work holding?

Thanks for anything you can share.

Craig

 

[dodge lancer 1962]

this is my home made tool post for my atlas craftsman lathe.
and this is my enco milling machine.

 

[dodge lancer 1962]

1- the white ring is an extension made from uhmw to move the handle out for more hand clearance.
2- the corrugated cover did not work out so i did something different.
3- the adjustable stop works fine, i will post a better picture later.
4- the chuck was a upgrade for the lathe, works fine.
thanks for your interest, ray

 

[56type]

Great job on the tool post !!

 

[dodge lancer 1962]

this is a closer pick of the adjustable work stop and a pick of the corrugated way cover replacement.

 

[WCraig]

Interesting. Every other stop I've seen has been made to clamp to the lathe bed. Yours is mounted to the headstock, right? The casting isn't machined there; how did you get a good fit?

Thanks for the pics!

Craig

 

[mickri]

Millersvile You may want to take a look at Winky's Workshop videos on the lantern tool post he made. Has some good ideas on how to improve a lantern tool post.

You did a really nice job on your new tool post. Is it easy to remove? Maybe you could make some more holders to fit on the post. A dedicated parting tool holder that rests directly on the compound will make a big difference in parting. I made one for my Norman style QCTP and it made all the difference in parting. Another idea that I pirated from Winky's Workshop.