AXA or BXA for a gz4015z

[ScottM]

all,

I'm thinking of purchasing a QCTP but am undecided on the size. The holders for the AXA are less expensive,
the BXA gives me greater height adjustment.
the distance between the top of the compound and the center line is ~2.25 inches swing over the bed is 16.5
And wedge or piston? does the wedge give you better range of vertical clamping position for the holder? Think mounting a tool, upside down.

What do you think?

Thanks - Scott

 

[Tin Falcon]

Scott looked at the machine spec sheet. I thought you had a 12"" + lathe there at first. IMHO an AXA /100 size should be plenty for that combo machine. The QCTP on my south bend is wedge style I have a little A2ZCNC on the mini lathe that is piston type that seems to work OK as well.
Tin

 

[ScottM]

Tin,

it's 16.5 over the bed
Features:

* T-slots in cross slide
* Cuts inch and metric threads
* Turret tool post
* 4" 3-jaw chuck
* Tailstock offsets 1/2"
* Built-in vise

Specifications:

* Swing over bed: 16-1/2"
* Swing over saddle: 11-1/2"
* Distance between centers: 19.2"
* Spindle taper: MT #3
* Mill drill spindle taper: MT #3
* Draw bar: 3/8" - 16 TPI
* Tailstock barrel travel: 1-1/2"
* Cross slide travel: 4-1/2"
* Number of Mill/Drill speeds: 14
* Speed range: 135, 175, 240, 295, 315, 380, 390, 490, 505, 635, 695, 900, 1055, 1370 RPM
* Number of Lathe speeds: 7
* Lathe speed range: 185, 330, 405, 535, 680, 955, 1455 RPM
* Range of threads (inches): 8 - 120 TPI in 27 steps (Gear changes required)
* Range of threads (metric): 18 @ .2 - 3.0 mm
* Motor size (single phase 110V): 3/4 H.P.
* Shipping weight approximate: 475 lbs.

Standard Equipment:

* 4" 3-jaw chuck
* 1/2" drill chuck
* MT#3 chuck arbor
* 2 dead centers
* Change gears
* 5" backplate
* 9-1/2" face plate

no way you could actually turn something that big but the thing is tall

So in you AXA can you flip a bit over and cut on the bottom with the lathe
running backwards?


Thanks - Scott

 

[Tin Falcon]

Scott :
I looked at the specs. It is a fractional HP machine with a 4 "" chuck . As far as flipping the tools I have threaded on my little 7 X 10 with the tool upside down in a scaled down version of the axa and it worked fine.
It is your machine your dime your choice do what you think is best in your shop.
I thought I had a chart with the dimensions of the various sizes but can not seem to find it at this time.
What is the measurement from the top of your combo vise/compound to center line ?
Tin

 

[deere_x475guy]

I tend to agree with tin on this I think the AXA will be a better fit for you. I believe you will run out of adjustment to get the tool to proper center with the BXA. As far as wedge goes I have the piston and my friend has the wedge. His seems to be closer in repeatablity than my piston.

Have fun
Bob

 

[speakerme]

Hello,

The wedge variety is generally considered the superior mechanism, more repeatable by a small amount. The pistons are cheaper but you get (in most cases) what you pay for. I have a 13X40 GH jet and I use a CXA on it. There is only one aloris tool thus far that I have had to mill the bottom to get it lower and on centerline. The heavier the holder seems better for me because of the extra rigidity. I have heard discussions that you have to send ( indexable holder) them out to be ground when you have a problem that the cutter is still a little too high at it's lowest setting, but I had no problem milling the base with a carbide insert cutter. Medium speed, and slow feed.

Best Wishes
Chuck M

 

[ScottM]

Tin, Chuck, Bob,

It's 2.25 inches from the top of the compound to the centerline.
Yea I know it a huge swing for the motor size - hey, I didn't design it :-}

It would be nice to be ably to try these things out first!
Thanks much for the input - Scott

 

[Tin Falcon]

Okay the advantages of a BXA or CXA would be larger tool size capability and more rigid . this may not be any real difference on your machine. It appears the factory tool holder is on a spacer block you could possibly use that block to mount an AXA or make a custom block a 1 inch thick spacer should be about right. You would also need a longer mounting bolt.
Tin

 

[Stan]

Coming in late with my thoughts. Any of the usually available tool posts in AXA size will surpass the rigidlty of the rest of your lathe. There is no need for large tool bits for a 3/4 HP lathe. Ideal size for your lathe is 3/8" and smaller.

Your minimum lathe speed is 185 RPM which will restrict you to cutting steel to about 5" diameter for good SFM and power available. If you tool post mount is centered on the cross slide travel, there is only 2 1/4" movement toward you (maximum 4 1/2" travel). You might be able to swing 16" for sheet metal forming if you don't apply much pressure, but for that you don't use a QCTP.

Since you have all the dimensions for you lathe and for the tool posts calculate the thickness of spacer block you may need. If you use tool holders that take up to 1/2" bits, you can mount a smaller bit high or low in the holder with shims to get better center height.

 

[ScottM]

Thank you all for your advice.

After some measuring I ordered the AXA from Enco, and two extra holders from CDCO - I want to verify the fit before getting more.

If I don't like it I can always post it on here at a healthy discount :-}

Thanks again - Scott

 

[Tin Falcon]

Scott IIRC if you went with the wedge style there is some adjustment. I did have to slightly modify an import holder by grinding off the back a little with the belt sander. Took less than five minutes.
Aw shucks should not have said that could have got a couple of tool holders at a discount LOL.
Tin

 

[ScottM]

Hey Tin,

Nope I went with the piston - The lathe is after all made from fire hardened Chinese bubble gum.

Aw shucks should not have said that could have got a couple of tool holders at a discount LOL.

Like I couldn't figure that out :noidea:

- Scott