- Aloris BXA holder (used, from eBay $230)
- Smithy’s Chicago Bolt (new, $3.50)
- Bronze Sleeve Bushing 1/2 x 5/8 x 1-1/8″
- Flat Washer 9/16″
- Aluminum or other thin foil for shimming
Here’s a look at all the parts needed.
I needed to make a slight detour from the 3D desktop fabrication project to put my lathe back together. Many months ago I bought an Aloris BXA quick change toolpost holder with some accessories on eBay for cheap. I needed to modify my lathe’s compound top slide to accept the larger bolt required for the larger toolpost holder.
After pulling the compound apart, I decided that I didn’t feel like trying to press out the existing shaft, then try to machine a larger replacement and press it in, all while having a crippled lathe. So, I took the easy route and bought Smithy’s “Chicago Bolt” for $3.50 and figured out how to make it work.
This bolt diameter was still too small for the Aloris holder, but I bought a 1/2 x 5/8 x 1-1/8 bronze bushing to bridge the gap. Seeing as the original compond’s bolt was metric and the Aloris’ bore was English, I had to shim the shaft with some aluminum foil to get a tight fit. I also had to buy a 9/16″ flat washer to go under the Chicago Bolt at the top of the toolpost holder.
I re-assembled my compound (having taken it apart only to see if I wanted to replace the bolt, which I didn’t) and put everything back on my lathe. Quick and easy, the toolpost holder was on the compound. The bolt doesn’t supply the same clamping force as the massive 1/2″ Aloris one would, but I think on the whole things are better now. Maybe later I’ll modify the compound top slide, but for now I have a much easier way to adjust my cutting tools and swap between them.
It did seem to work pretty well for cutting. The height had plenty of adjustment both up and down. Even if it’s not as solid as it would be on a toolroom lathe, it’s certainly more solid than the original Smithy toolpost holder. And, this American-made steel was cheaper than a Chinese knock-off that I could buy new.
