Last week I was turning some small diameter stock, I want to use some small 1/4“ tool I had, the tool holders I have, would not hold tools that small. I worked around that with some serious shimming, but never felt secure about it.
Today, I happen on a Harbor Freight #42806, QCTP kit, it list for about $100 and my total cost was less than $30. The kit is designed for a mini lathe and is optimized for 1/4” and 5/16” tooling. I spent a good part of the afternoon, adapting it to my current lathe, a Jet 14 x 40. After I finished it up, I set it up for a 1/4” tool using a 21.51 CCMT carbide insert, and remade the parts I did last week. The parts are better and I feel better for that.
Will use this more than once or twice a year, NO, was it a worthwhile , YES. If nothing else it was a pleasant afternoon in the shop.
