Thread: QCTP brand ?

I had some luck and this QCTP system became mine for $50 . It has "RAPID" brand on the tool post . It is all quite chunky and heavy , the tool post is about 4.5" - 5" high . Anybody heard of that brand ? Anyway it came with a bunch of other stuff, more about that later .

It looks like a Dickson style, probably made by Algra, in Italy I think.

I agree it is a Dickson clone. My Colchester had one about 105mm Square, worked well. You pay about $50 for a single dickson tool holder.

Nice score!

I agree that Rapid is an Italian brand of Dickson style toolpost.
Somewhere at home I have a brochure for them, that I got from Demco Machinery in Sydney eons ago.
I was very impressed with one they had on a lathe, thinking - those clever Italians - later finding out it were a British idea.

If you find out that Dickson tool holders fit it, can you please let us know?

Jordan

Good reliable QCTP.
Parts available from Modern Tools in Bayswater, Victoria.
Check the operating tongues, mine had some fractures from repeated operation of the clamping cam.
Dimensions vary slightly from genuine Dickson.
John.

What a great find!!
I have one but it only has one tool holder--which limits it a little. I have a diamond holder set up in it and it works well, but I have never been able to convince myself to buy new toolholders at >$50, which limits the use a little

This is the link to the manufacturer "Rapid Original" near Milan in Northern Italy:

http://www.rapidoriginal.it/

They also sell under the name "GFB Universal - since 1948" and "GFB Special Tools", depends what country they export to. It's all made in the same factory as above, it's all part of the GFB group.

Exhaustively covered in typical Chris fashion here - http://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...11#post1695011

BT

Originally Posted by Briangoldcoast

I have one but it only has one tool holder--which limits it a little... but I have never been able to convince myself to buy new toolholders at >$50

Several members have made their own - I think Dave J holds the record for making up around 50? When I was looking at QCTP, one of the attractions of the Aloris type was the simplicity of making up extra tool holders. You'd be able to make that style up too (if you have a vertical mill) but it may require a few set ups. If you make some holding fixtures (to hold things at the right angles) it will make repeat batches much quicker and easier. Personally I tend to make in small batches (1 to 3 say) as I need them. I have probably 10 or so set up with 'permanent' tools plus another 5 to 10 with tools I will swap around as needed. Too many and the problem becomes one of where to store them.

Michael

Originally Posted by Briangoldcoast

What a great find!!
I have one but it only has one tool holder--which limits it a little. I have a diamond holder set up in it and it works well, but I have never been able to convince myself to buy new toolholders at >$50, which limits the use a little

Pay the $50 - they're a right shyte to make. Voice of experience.....

My next QCTP will be an Aloris type. The Dickson on my Chipmaster is really excellent but I don't like making the tool holders (or paying for them but if I need any more, I'll pay).

PDW

Originally Posted by PDW

Pay the $50 - they're a right shyte to make. Voice of experience.....

My next QCTP will be an Aloris type. The Dickson on my Chipmaster is really excellent but I don't like making the tool holders (or paying for them but if I need any more, I'll pay).

PDW

The 10EE has a no name dickson style.. May even be shop made, But I only have two holders... Always been going to make some up but never got around to it.. Now I have a slightly bigger grinder I will most likely get into it as I should have no trouble grinding the angles to size..

But they look a pain to make, and it seems China is not interested in making those holders..

Vertex have these toolholders, I use one of the smaller sizes on my Hercus Compulathe, but they are not $50.00 each even for the small sizes.

Originally Posted by .RC.

The 10EE has a no name dickson style.. May even be shop made, But I only have two holders... Always been going to make some up but never got around to it.. Now I have a slightly bigger grinder I will most likely get into it as I should have no trouble grinding the angles to size..

Two holders! That's extravagant. It's one more than I've got for my QCTP. I still reckon it's better than changing shims each time I change tools.

A batch of holders sounds like a great test project for the new machine.

They came from a small machining business that is relocating , he had a cleanup . He makes parts for industrial liquid pumps ,he mainly machines stainless and he also reconditions the pumps . He was saying to me he has a 20 foot long lathe that he wants to dispose of but it may end up being scrapped as nobody wants it . His dad was a toolmaker and so is the son as well. In the bits and bobs I got from him are some weird looking parting off tools ( pics coming ) and a tray of old brazed carbide bits and some damaged indexible carbide bit holders - TNMG style kennametal and sandvik etc. somebody has run these into a chuck or something and the tips are broken off some of the holders , probably why he is getting rid of them . He also gave me a few of his trade school made TNMG holders , well made too . He showed me a milling cutter he made at school , very nice , looked just like a commercial made one , he said it was made on a special lathe that did the relieving of the teeth , mild steel case hardened .

OK the other QCTP I got from him is smaller but it is a dickson clone too . Somebody has made up an adapter for the parting tools .

Nothing weird about the parting tool or it's holder really, it is a tangential type that was common in the 1960's and 70's before the modern style of inserts came along.