Myford ML7 quick change tool post recommendations

[armalites]

Hi all, looking to buy the above.

Myford one is £115 but only comes with 2 holders
RDG do one for £86 that comes with 4 holders

This looks superb and I've seen similar on bigger lathes but is it worth the extra spend?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Myford-La...type-Quick-Change-Tool-Post-Kit-/361387113519


Anyone using any of the above? advice appreciated

regards
Carl

 

[brightspark]

Christ id want the lathe for that price

 

[Newlands]

They are really good - once you've used one for a while you won't want to go back to any other sort. Most people recommend an Aa size for a Myford. The A size also fits but limits the variety of tooling you can use as it sits higher on the top slide. I have a Aa on my Boxford and it is as solid as a rock.
Not sure that the one you've linked to is the cheapest option - some of the german companies (and Rotogrip in the UK) actually buy them in from China and mark them up. I've just ordered an E size set from Create tools in China http://www.createtool.com/list.asp?cid=33 , which is the company that you'll see recommended most often on all the engineering forums. 53$ for shipping and they mark up the package with a nominal value
You're a bit too far away in Hereford, but you're welcome to drop in to have a look at the Aa set on the Boxford.
If you want some general information on how they are used have a look on Youtube for Abom79 - he did a video a couple of years ago on them, all you need to know. His are the biggest models, but they all work exactly the same.

Don't take any notice of them what say they're too expensive - I haven't heard of anyone who regrets buying one.

 

[armalites]

Thanks Newlands, I've spent hours watching Abom79, that's where I've seen the bigger ones.

$200 looks a whole lot more appealing

 

[GW8IZR]

Right I cant remember whether I bought mine from Cronos or RDG but TBH they are almost identical, superb and you wont go back once you have one BUT make sure you either get a few extra tool holders or plan to make some as the design changes from time to time and then you cant buy them. OK easy enough to make which is what I did but for a few quid I would have bought a few extra at the time.

 

[Newlands]

There are several threads on other forums about the multifix - a few on model engineer and model engine builder, also one on practical machinist from a guy who made his own toolholders with the splined slots.
Your post has prompted me to maybe move my small one on - I don't use the Boxford much now I've got a bigger lathe and I need to top up the coffers to pay for the E set on order, so I may have to put it in the for sale section.

 

[HughF]

Interested in the multifix setup, I have a boxford vsl with regular dickson holders and I don't get on with them...

 

[scottmk1]

I have Dickson setup on both my lathes at home, and the Multifix type on a lathe at work. I think the Multifix is great, and if I didn't have as many holders etc for the Dickson type I'd probably swap to Multifix at home too, especially seeing the price of those from China.