Subject: toolposts

From: [email-masked] (Alan Shinn)
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 1996 20:01:29 -0800

Being Christmas and all-- I am sorta hoping Santa will bring me a new
toolpost for my Logan 10". KBC tool has three that take an Aloris type
tool holder. There is a piston type for $113, a wedge type for $153, and a
gib type for $274. Now, realize that I am trying to replace a rocker type
tool post so I will be pretty easy to please. The real question is ---How
poor is the piston type relative to the gib type (with which I have had
good experiences in the past) ??
 Also, anyone out there with a catalogue price that's better? 
Comments will be much appreciated.!

-- 
Al Shinn  (Tinker)
[email-masked]
Experience the beginnings of microscopy - visit
http://sirius.com/~alshinn/

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From: [email-masked] (Jens)
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 1996 11:28:39 -0800

[email-masked] (Alan Shinn) wrote:

>. KBC tool has three that take an Aloris type
>gib type for $274.

Ok, for my 0.02 cents worth ... first of all I would like to point out
that the KBC tool posts (and holders and sets) go on sale quite
frequently at 20 percent off.
I would also like to point out that the 'gib type for $274' is
actually an Armstrong post (check the page heading) and as a result I
would think substantially better than the KBC (China) types.

I myself own the KBC wedge type (which is the same concept as the
Armstrong gib type). It is a reasonably good tool post but in
retrospect I probably should have saved up for an American made post.
This wasn't an option at the time due to cost (and the KBC sale).
I looked at the piston type post but quite frankly I have no
confidence in this setup. I have no experience to substantiate that
feeling but looking at the locking action, you have a piston pushing
against a dovetailed holder onto a seating surface that in my opinion
shouldn't be a seating surface (underside of dovetail). The wedge type
pulls the holder towards the tool post which seems a more secure and
repeatable way of doing this. The seating surfaces at that point are
much more confidence inspiring .... 

Now a couple of points on the tool holders (KBC type).
They do not appear to be of a hardened nature. The set screws that
hold the bits in have a tendency to deform due to constant
tightening/loosening. The #7 holder (parting blade) only clamps the
blade at the very front with a wedge and there is no guiding groove on
the bottom for the blade so it sometimes doesn't sit right. I have
also had the blade fall out due to vibration or side load (yes, I know
I am not supposed to have either under usual circumstances).
The boring bar tool holder has a sleeve in it to reduce the bar size
>from  1" to 3/4 ". In my case the sleeve was poorly sized (and it is
not hardened) and it was a real pain getting boring bars in/out of the
holder until I reamed out the sleeve. Also the locking mechanism of
the boring bar to the tool holder is a poor arrangement.

To sum it up, I came from a rocker tool post and the KBC Wedge type
was a night and day change for the positive. Now that I know a bit
more about tool posts and holders I would prefer to go to a higher
quality version. BTW, even if you go for an American made unit, check
out the individual tool holding methods  ... it might be better to
mix/match American brand holders for optimum performance.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Jens

 Now, realize that I am trying to replace a rocker type

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From: Paul Pierce <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 09:19:45 -0700

> Comments will be much appreciated.!

Enco has (page 160) gib type toolpost only, for about $140 or 
a set with 7 holders for about $300.

-- 
Paul in AJ AZ  NRA Endowment Member

Checkout the Metal Web News at:
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From: [email-masked]
Date: 16 Dec 1996 18:31:32 GMT

>Comments will be much appreciated.!

MSC is offering the Phase II, piston type for $174 complete with 5 or 6
accessories. Andy Popkey has used Aloris in stock but he said the knurling
tool was missing from the set. He said they were in excellent condition
but I am not sure if it was gib or piston.

The piston types I have used seemed to work just fine for me but Jens
makes a good point about pulling in rather than pushing out. However, as I
have said, they worked for me, just fine.

I *believe* Santa has been faxing MSC but there have been some pointed
questions asked about all manner of shop items. May just be general
interest on Mrs Claus' part but I hope not.

Peter
Still believing in fairies and Santa providing I get what I want.

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From: ANDY POPKY <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 21:20:35 -0500

[email-masked] wrote:

 Andy Popkey has used Aloris in stock but he said the knurling
> but I am not sure if it was gib or piston.

first off it is spelled POPKY
the toolpost in question was a wedge type
and yes it was in excellent condition
ask SCOTT LOGAN and he can tell you all about it<w>
and the knurling tool is not missing
it found its way to CHICAGO

regards
andy(canned meat)popky

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From: [email-masked] (Scott Logan)
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 02:28:32 GMT

>but I am not sure if it was gib or piston.

It _WAS_ the gib type.  It's on my 12" Logan now.  And it was in like
new condition.

  +----------------------------------+
  | Scott Logan  -  [email-masked] |
  |        Logan Actuator Co.        |
  |     http://www.loganact.com      |
  |    Repair Parts & Accessories    |
  |    for Logan and Wards Lathes    |
  +----------------------------------+

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