I need a tool post for my Monarch 10EE. The exciter was missing, and the main contactor box was a mess, but those problems are fixed, thanks to help from Cal Haines and others at Practical Machinist. It cost me under $50 to try a simple 4-diode rectifier. The rebuilt contactor box was under $200 if memory serves. The original 1941 motor-generator and DC motor appear to be sound.
There's still a lot to do, but I'd like to see if it has adequate power to peel metal off a round piece of steel. Currently the lathe has no tool post at all, and as much as I'd like a Dorian or Aloris tool post, money is tight right now. I see Phase II BXA tool posts with 5 tool holders for ~$350 on Amazon, which is way less money than places like MSC ($540 without holders). They are advertised as new. But I'm wondering if they are possibly inferior knock-offs. Fakes in other words. The amount of difference in price is suspicious to me.
I'm wondering if I'd be better off going with the Shars house brand. At least they have been around for a while and there would be a chance of getting my money back if the product they are selling is poor quality.
Any thoughts on the matter?
There's still a lot to do, but I'd like to see if it has adequate power to peel metal off a round piece of steel. Currently the lathe has no tool post at all, and as much as I'd like a Dorian or Aloris tool post, money is tight right now. I see Phase II BXA tool posts with 5 tool holders for ~$350 on Amazon, which is way less money than places like MSC ($540 without holders). They are advertised as new. But I'm wondering if they are possibly inferior knock-offs. Fakes in other words. The amount of difference in price is suspicious to me.
I'm wondering if I'd be better off going with the Shars house brand. At least they have been around for a while and there would be a chance of getting my money back if the product they are selling is poor quality.
Any thoughts on the matter?