DoN. Nichols wrote:

I don't know about the lathe in question, but I certainly have
power cross feed (and longitudinal feed) in addition to the threading
feed from the leadscrew on my 12x24" belt driven Clausing. The
longitudinal feed reduces wear on the threading portion of the lathe.

Could I trouble you to explain that? I believe you, I just don't
understand how/why.



From what I have read from those who have used the 3-in-1
machines regularly, there is no such thing as a *quick* milling setup.
The time required to block the workpiece up to a height which allows the
milling cutters to reach it is noticeable -- and it is a test of
ingenuity as well.

Noted - probably not a very good idea.



I'm not a user of a piston style toolpost -- I've got the
Phase-II wedge style -- but two significant points (other than the extra
rigidity from the way the wedge style locks up compared to the piston)
a

1) The piston style has the lever landing at two fairly large
zones separated from each other by 90 degrees when you switch
between tool holders on the turning dovetail vs the boring/facing
dovetail. This means that your expectations of when it will
lock have to be adjusted between the two tool holder locations.

2) Related, but perhaps more important -- when there is no tool
holder on the toolpost, with a piston style, the lever is free
to swing totally around the toolpost -- which has resulted in
the handle interacting with the jaws on the chuck -- producing
shrapnel as the hard plastic ball grip on the end of the lever
is shattered.

I think you just sold a wedge style post. In fairness though, is there
an argument for simply having a holder in place at all times to avoid
(2)? Or is that a problem too?



As for whether it will fit -- the main consideration is the
height of the lathe spindle's center above the top of the compound. The
critical factor is the height of the top of the tool slot above the
bottom of the holder -- on the assumption that the holder will bottom on
the compound unless you slide the toolpost enough to the side so the
whole dovetail hangs over the side -- thus trading off rigidity again.

What makes it critical? Is the idea to be able to "get under" the
center line? Naively, I would think that it would be necessary to reach
at least that high???

Thanks,

Bill