Thread: Tool holder arrangment on QT8

When I purchased the machine the previous owner had tools 1-4 as OD and 5-8 as ID. The problem I keep running into is with plumbing coolant for the ID tools as the tool blocks are too close together to get 90* fittings in them. Those little coolant eyes on the ID blocks are useless if you use a ER32 tool holder.

My question is for you QT8 owners, do you alternate ID and OD and will it allow enough clearance to get 90* fitting in?

Thanks, Dave

Hello,

I have a QT-8, and a few other Mazak lathes. First thing, you need to try your best to balance the weight on the turret. More than likely you are dealing with an older machine, it will not last long putting all of the weight on one side of the turret. Fixing the problems it can create is big bucks!
I have got into the Line Lock stuff in the last few years except for part off tools and larger drills. The QT-8 I.D. blocks are funky, you will figure it out.
If you really fall in love with the machine I have one with an M+ control for sale.

Good Luck!

LandM-1

I have had this one for 2 years and it runs full bore every day. Its the perfect size for what do and could very easily put another in use but not sure I have the room without getting rid of a few machines. I have the line lock on the tools that I can get the fitting in to.

i didn't look real close but can you plug and report the block?

Dave,
The two QT8's I have run were almost always set up alternating the ID and OD tools. I do have a job where I have to put a face tool block on at one of the OD tool positions and had the same trouble with the 90 degree fitting. my fix was to mill a clearance on the offending block. It worked for my use. If you need pictures I may be able to send you a couple.
Michael

The tool blocks are so small that there isn't much meat anywhere on the block to re-port and ER tool holders block the tiny adjustable coolant port. I use a Hardinge TT style releasing tap holder for taping and have a small plastic line zip tied to the holder and plugged into the the coolant port. Works good most of the time but gets plugged with chips often. If you could send a photo of where you put the clearance that would be great.

Capt,

I recommend alternating ID tool blocks on the turret. The turret stays in balance, there is way more clearance for coolant lines. And, you will get better clearances between adjacent tools when cutting close to the chuck.

Having the blocks adjacent can cause an id tool, located above or below the tool cutting, to interfere with the chuck. Ouch...

rude but effective

Greg you're right about clearance issues with ID tools, I had a 1" boring bar still in the turret from a previous job when I started another and it would have hit the chuck jaws if I would not have catch it during testing of the new program. Someone recommend that I always first test a new program by manually moving the tools to each programmed point with the spindle off and nothing in the chuck. It has saved me some grief a couple of times when the chuck barriers would not have such as the boring bar mentioned earlier and a part off tool where the blade is mounted in a tool block and the block protrudes past the blade.

I think I'll go ahead and move them around and see how that works out.

Thanks for all your input.

Had some down time last night to move the tool blocks to an alternating ID-OD configuration. Had no problems getting coolant lines into the ID holders so hopefully no more coolant issues.