T3 Quick Change Toolpost & Accessories | Lathe Tool Holders & Spare Parts | Bluefox Tools

T3 Quick Change Toolpost Accessories, Lathe Tool Holders
& Replacement Parts

Upgrading heavy-duty industrial lathes with a high-rigidity
quick-change toolholding system is essential for minimizing setup downtime,
ensuring exact center-height repeatability, and maintaining superior cutting
stability. For machinists operating heavy metalworking machinery, such as the Colchester
Triumph 2000, Colchester Mascot 1600, Harrison 15" / 400,
Harrison 16.5" / 450, and other 15-inch to 18-inch (380mm to 460mm)
swing lathes, the T3 Quick Change Toolpost system (Dickson-style Size 3
/ T3 series) serves as the heavy-duty standard for heavy metal removal and
precision turning.

Operating large engine lathes with conventional 4-way tool
turrets leads to significant downtime spent shimming tools to center. The BlueFox
T3 Quick Change Toolpost system replaces manual shimming with an integrated
micro-adjustable elevation mechanism on every holder. Combined with
precision-ground dual V-way alignment rails and an eccentric cam-locking
mechanism, the T3 system enables sub-3-second tool changes while keeping
cutting edges locked rigidly on center under high cutting forces.

Whether you need a standalone 25mm bore main block,
individual replacement holders (up to 35mm shank capacity), or multi-holder
bundles (2-pack, 5-pack, and 7-pack sets), this collection provides heavy-duty
T3 toolpost components engineered specifically for Colchester, Harrison, and
large industrial engine lathes.

Technical Specifications: T3 Toolpost Architecture

The T3 series (Dickson Size 3 class) is dimensionally
proportioned for heavy engine lathes with swing capacities between 15 inches
(approx. 380 mm) and 18 inches (approx. 460 mm) over the bed. It provides
substantial mass, broad V-way contact areas, and enhanced clamping torque to
accommodate oversized tool shanks (up to 35mm capacity) without chatter or
deflection.

Core Dimensional & Mechanical Specifications

Specification

Dimension / Capacity

Notes

Main Block Dimensions

Approx. 110 mm x 110 mm x 90 mm High

Sized for large industrial compound slides

Center Mounting Bore

25 mm Precision Bore

Direct fit for standard 25mm compound studs

Max Tool Shank Capacity

Up to 35 mm (1-3/8")

Supports heavy square shanks & large carbide holders

Clamping Mechanism

Eccentric Cam with Steel Lugs

High downward and inward seating pressure

Height Adjustment

Threaded elevation screw & lock nut

Preserves precise center-height alignment

Material & Hardness

Case-hardened forged alloy steel

Resists chip abrasion, galling, and deformation

Detailed Breakdown of T3 Collection Products

Build or expand your shop's heavy turning capability with
individual T3 components, main mounting blocks, and value-packed holder
packages:

1. Standalone T3 Main Block (25mm Mounting Bore)

The foundation of the T3 quick-change system is the
heavy-duty central main block. Selecting the T3 Quick Change Tool Post Main Block Colchester Harrison 25mm
Bore equips your topslide with a precision-ground core featuring a 25mm
mounting hole engineered directly for Colchester and Harrison topslide studs.

2. Oversized T3 Tool Holders (35mm Shank Capacity)

For heavy-duty turning, facing, and deep roughing passes
where maximum tool shank rigidity is required, use holders built for large
shanks. The T3 Quick Change Tool Holder 35mm Colchester Student accepts
tool shanks up to 35mm, giving you the stiffness needed to eliminate chatter
during aggressive metal removal on large-swing machines.

3. Individual T3 Tool Holders

To add single specialized tools, such as dedicated finishing
tools, threaders, or grooving tools, to your workflow without tearing down
active setups, choose the standalone T3 Lathe Quick Change Tool Holder 1pc.

4. Multi-Holder Expansion Bundles (2-Piece, 5-Piece &
7-Piece Sets)

Keeping a complete bank of pre-set tooling ready to swap on
the fly is the most effective way to eliminate setup delays on manual
production lathes.

• 2-Piece
  Expansion Pack: Ideal for keeping primary roughing and finishing tools
  paired side-by-side. Choose the T3 Quick Change Tool Holder 2pcs set.
• 5-Piece
  Production Pack: Equip five distinct tooling operations (roughing,
  finishing, facing, threading, and grooving). Select the T3 Quick Change Tool Holder 5pcs bundle.
• 7-Piece
  Master Pack: Build a comprehensive tooling suite for large-diameter
  turning and production runs using the T3 Quick Change Tool Holder 7pcs master bundle.

Machine Compatibility: Large Engine & Toolroom Lathes

The T3 system (Dickson Size 3 class) is specifically
proportioned to accommodate the compound topslide dimensions, center height
clearance, and stud sizes of 15-inch to 18-inch swing engine lathes.

Supported Lathe Models

• Colchester
  Lathes: Triumph 2000, Mascot 1600, and Command 2000/3000 series.
• Harrison
  Lathes: Harrison 15" / 400, Harrison 16.5" / 450, and M400
  series.
• Industrial
  15" to 18" Swing Lathes: Heavy engine lathes with 40mm to
  55mm distance between top-of-slide and spindle center line.
• Adaptable
  Heavy Machinery: TOS Trencin, Dean Smith & Grace (DSG),
  Clausing-Metosa, and 16x40 or 18x60 import engine lathes (using 25mm stud
  sizing).

Key Operational Advantages of the T3 System

1. Massive
   Shank Capacity (Up to 35mm): Accommodates extra-heavy square shanks
   and indexable carbide bars, allowing deep cuts in tough alloy steels
   without tool deflection.
2. Sub-3-Second
   Tool Changes: The eccentric cam lever pulls and locks holders
   instantly into dual V-ways, eliminating time wasted measuring center
   height between tool swaps.
3. Chatter
   Suppression: Heat-treated forged steel body and wide V-way reference
   faces absorb heavy cutting forces during deep facing and roughing passes.
4. Permanent
   Height Memory: Micro-fine elevation screws with positive knurled lock
   nuts keep every tool set to true spindle center permanently.

Installation & Height Alignment Setup

[ Step 1: Clean Topslide Face & Stud ]

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[ Step 2: Fit T3 Main Block Over 25mm Stud ]

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[ Step 3: Square Block Face to Chuck / Spindle ]

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[ Step 4: Mount Tool Holder & Adjust Elevation Screw to
Center ]

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[ Step 5: Lock Knurled Nut to Secure Height Setting ]

1. Clean
   Mounting Face: Clean the compound slide top face to ensure no metal
   swarf or burrs prevent flush seating of the main block base.
2. Mount
   Main Block: Place the T3 main block over the 25mm mounting stud.
3. Square
   the Assembly: Use a machinist square against the chuck face or
   faceplate to square the main block faces relative to the spindle axis
   before fully torquing down the center clamp nut.
4. Set
   Tool Center Height: Insert a tool into a T3 holder, mount the holder
   onto the V-ways, and pull the locking handle tight. Adjust the top
   elevation screw until the cutting edge aligns precisely with a dead center
   in the tailstock.
5. Lock
   Elevation Collar: Tighten the knurled lock nut down against the holder
   body to permanently save the center height setting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the mounting bore size on the T3 main block?

The T3 main block comes with a precision-machined 25mm
bore, designed for direct fitment onto standard 25mm compound slide studs
found on Colchester Triumph, Mascot, and Harrison lathes.

Q2: What maximum tool shank size can T3 tool holders
accept?

T3 tool holders accommodate heavy tool shanks up to 35mm
(1-3/8 inches), making them suitable for large-shank HSS tools and
indexable carbide tool holders.

Q3: What is the difference between T2 and T3 Quick Change
Toolposts?

• T2
  Series (Size 2): Engineered for mid-sized engine lathes (11" to
  14" swing) with tool shank capacities up to 20mm.
• T3
  Series (Size 3): Engineered for larger heavy-duty engine lathes
  (15" to 18" swing) with tool shank capacities up to 35mm and a
  larger 25mm mounting bore.

Q4: Are BlueFox T3 holders compatible with standard
Dickson Size 3 blocks?

Yes. BlueFox T3 holders are manufactured to standard
Dickson Size 3 dimensional specifications, ensuring compatibility with original
British Dickson Size 3 blocks and quality equivalent aftermarket systems.

Upgrade Your Heavy Turning Performance with BlueFox Tools

Outfitting your Colchester Triumph, Mascot, or Harrison
engine lathe with the BlueFox T3 Quick Change Toolpost system provides
the structural mass, shank capacity, and setup speed required for heavy
industrial turning.

Select your 25mm main block, 35mm oversized holders, and
multi-piece holder bundles above to upgrade your lathe's capability today!