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Tool holders for AMMCO Shaper

Susquatch

Susquatch

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My new AMMCO Shaper has a size 0 lantern tool post on it. I plan to investigate ways to install an improved toolpost with emphasis on the one that @140mower developed. But in the meantime, it seems prudent to get a few tool holders to fit the current lantern tool post. It came with 1 lonely Left Armstrong tool holder for 1/4" bits.

20250418_110310(0).jpg

I've been trying to find a right and a center tool holder for 1/4" tool bits. So far I've only found a few beat up holders on e-bay. Nothing on Amazon, Kijiji, or AliExpress. Nothing using Google either.

Does anyone know a source for such things?
 
On shapers, the lantern style holders that you are looking for are the one for tungsten carbide and are designated with a "T". They have a neutral rake whereas the normal ones have a positive rake built in. I would use 3/8 or 5/16" bits directly in the tool post while you search out some shaper tooling.
20250312_144529.jpg

Mine is set up for 1/2" hss, but, it's a little bit bigger.....
 
140mower said:
Mine is set up for 1/2" hss, but, it's a little bit bigger.....
Click to expand...

What am I looking at in that last photo Don? There seems to be a lot more there than a piece of hss in the lantern tool post.


140mower said:
On shapers, the lantern style holders that you are looking for are the one for tungsten carbide and are designated with a "T". They have a neutral rake whereas the normal ones have a positive rake built in.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that. I was wondering how the tool holder might be affected by the lack of a rocker. You have probably answered that.

As you might have noticed, the previous owner actually had a, small carbide insert mounted at the end of a piece of 1/4 stock. I don't know if he bought it like that or made it himself. I think the angles are wrong. I'm thinking that I'll avoid carbide inserts in my shaper - for now at least.

140mower said:
I would use 3/8 or 5/16" bits directly in the tool post while you search out some shaper tooling.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what the lantern post can hold. I'll try to measure that tomorrow. But I like your thinking. Why add more things to bend or move than needed.

In fact, that's what got my attention about your post style tool holder. Prolly the most rigid design I could imagine other than a shorter or fatter one of the same style.
 
20250312_144453.jpg

Maybe you can see what is going on better with this picture. The hss is out of what I call the "sled". The sled is just an adapter to fill the space between the hss and the tool post and the tee is just a packing to take up space, the "T" portion just frees up a couple of fingers while setting up the cutter. The shallow groove running down the inside of the tee allows me to dribble cutting oil down the front of the tool and it kinda acts like a mini reservoir.
20250312_144458.jpg
 
140mower said:
Maybe you can see what is going on better with this picture. The hss is out of what I call the "sled". The sled is just an adapter to fill the space between the hss and the tool post and the tee is just a packing to take up space, the "T" portion just frees up a couple of fingers while setting up the cutter. The shallow groove running down the inside of the tee allows me to dribble cutting oil down the front of the tool and it kinda acts like a mini reservoir.
Click to expand...

No wonder it didn't make sense. There REALLY IS a lot going on there! I especially love the oil groove!

So ultimately, the idea is to stick a piece of HSS into the sled thingy to totally replace the tool holder and the tiny piece of HSS that the tool holder holds with just one bigger stronger piece of HSS? No?

If so, it's EXCELLENT!

As long as it doesn't drive too much stick out, it should be superior. Thinking that the concept also makes for a much easier simpler grind too.
 
Susquatch said:
No wonder it didn't make sense. There REALLY IS a lot going on there! I especially love the oil groove!

So ultimately, the idea is to stick a piece of HSS into the sled thingy to totally replace the tool holder and the tiny piece of HSS that the tool holder holds with just one bigger stronger piece of HSS? No?

If so, it's EXCELLENT!

As long as it doesn't drive too much stick out, it should be superior. Thinking that the concept also makes for a much easier simpler grind too.
Click to expand...
Yes sir, I think you have the jest of it.... It's not the perfect tool for every occasion, but it is my go to set up for most operations. I wish I could remember who's YouTube channel I stole the idea from so I could give credit where it's due..... Shaper Andi used to have some pretty cool videos, but they seem to have been taken down for some reason. His tee slot cutting setup was pretty cool.....
 
Susquatch said:
Why is that important?
Click to expand...

I am hopping to improve the rigidity a bit, not looking to go full hard. My first one was made from mystery steel, kinda soft, and giving me a little chatter, goes away with the Armstrong holder.
Every machine is a little different so you have to see what works.
 
I like the adjustable ones. One of these days I would like to make one with a Hirth joint for my shaper. Don's Tee sled is a great idea too. Another on my list of "quick" shop projects (that I never get done :D )
 
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