Quick change toolpost. Algra Rapidue (Rapido)

[martsrods]

I'd like to ask about the toolpost on my Willson. It says Rapido on it. Type A. I think it's a cracking piece of kit, but so far have not been able to happen across any extra tool holders. I believe the manufacturer is Algra from Italy. Am I missing some secret compatibility situation with something more available. I see lots of Colchester/Dickson type but believe they are not interchangeable/compatible. I will place a want ad, as I don't want people to see this as a thinly veiled want ad, which it is in a way, but I wanted to talk about it as well as find some more toolholders. I went to the Model Engineering exhibition at the Warwickshire exhibition centre last autumn and there was a vendor there with lots of used toolholders. (This was before I got the Willson). A long shot I know but does anyone know who that may have been??

A point of recognition for the toolholder post is a rectangular pull in pad on the piston rather than round. The back side of the toolholders have small scallops cut in which I have not seen on any Colchester / Dickson types.

I suppose I ought to go and get some snaps. I'll put a few up in a bit.

Mart.

 

[martsrods]

I know this thread has sort of died but I have an update. i took one of my Algra toolholders to the model engineering exhibition on Friday and tried it on a T2 type toolpost on the RDG stand. It fitted. I eyeballed the RDG toolholders and I couldn't see any difference. I bought one genuine Dickson toolholder off another stand and when I got home it fitted. I have ordered a couple of T2 type off RDG so hopefully they will marry up ok. There is one slight foul on the one I have, the flange on the adjusting screw is slightly tight in the locking retainer (the part you turn to lock the toolholder in place). It should be a simple job to thin that down a bit. So as far as I can tell, there is no compatibility problems between Algra Rapido (Rapid, Rapidue) type A and Dickson/Colchester T2/S2 type. Can't speak for the other sizes, but these ones do match. The V ways are on 82mm centres on both.

Mart.