ATP* wrote:

"Jaggy Taggy" wrote in message
...

On my recently acquired Reed & Prentice lathe is an old style tool holder
(lamp post style??) which really sucks.

But the alternative, get a modern stable setup, is a bewildering task.
There
are many styles and a large swing in prices.
My lathe is a 12" and I could spend anywhere from about $100+ (Enco,
piston
style) to a small fortune for a KDK holder and what I really need to get
is
an education in the differences.

Can anybody here help me with this??

Regards Uwe

PS. I do not do production work, rather slow poke experimental tasks.


You'll probably be happy with the cheaper Enco kit, which goes on sale at a
substantial savings periodically.


I've had good luck with the wedge type Phase-II toolpost. The wedge
posts are a bit more expensive than the piston type, and a bit more
rigid, all else being equal. Phase-II makes both types. The toolholders
are the same for either type. That said, many are happy with the piston
posts for occasional or lighter work.

For a 12" lathe you'd likely want the '200' series (aka; "BX' series) size.

Dan Mitchell
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