QCTP tangential tool holder

[chucketn]

I would like to try my hand at making a tangential tool holder to fit my OXA QCTP. I will start with a 3-4” piece of 1” x 1” CRS. I understand the concept of the tool, and forum posts on construction seem to lean toward 12° angles.I will use 1/4 or 5/16 tool bits, or possibly round tool bits. I will cut the dovetail for my tool post into the 1” stock.
For those that have built/used tangential tools, what guidance would you offer? Do I need to make Left Hand and Right Hand versions? The handed versions mean that the sideways orientation is still 12°, right? Just tilted to the right or left? Will my 1” square stock be big enough. Can I make one end left hand and one end right hand on the same tool block? Would there be an advantage in that? I have a 7x14 MicroMark lathe.

Chuck

 

[Omnimill]

How are you going with this Chuck? I don't use a QCTP but use my tang tool a lot in a standard 4 way post. I haven't made a right hand cutting version, but yes it could come in handy for cutting a right hand shoulder.

Vic.

 

[lennardhme]

You will eventually need both a L & R Hand.
Why not make your 1" CRS long enough to protrude at either end of the QCTP with a left on one end & a Right on the other ?
You wont have enough room to do both at the same end - or I would'nt think so.

 

[gus]

Having both options----Left hand and right hand tools are very handy. Back in the 40s,50s,60s before small machines were moved away from shop houses in the business districts,I used to watch my neighbours clamping bar stocks in four jaw chucks and complete the job using same tools before parting off with the old fashion goose-neck parting tool w/o seizing . Concentricity of jobs turned this way had no off centre problem.

These were machineshops with one main drive motor and overhead pulleys with flat belt drive.

Recently I did overcome fear of the unknown and get to familiarise using left hand sliding tools.OD check is not difficult. O.D. was spot on with most jobs done with LH cutters.

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