I've decided I need some sizes of tool holders for the Hurco KMB1, that just do not seem to exist. I've looked at various options and employ several of them, but what I really need is solid one piece tool holders in those sizes. In order to make things a little quicker for setup and tool changes most of them will get extended nose for holding the tools so that small tools with have a similar over all length to larger tools. Among them of course is a handle full of 3/16 and 1/8 with an extended nose. Maybe upto 3/8. To this end I've picked up some "micro" carbide boring bars. Those I have on hand have a 3/16 shaft with a flat to orient the cutting tip.
Anyway, my plan is do everything except back drill the clearance hole in one setup on the modestly ok import 14x40 lathe. The locking color will get machined separately and expanded with heat to be slipped on later. After measuring several commercially made tool holders that part really isn't all that critical. The taper is what accounts for all of the accuracy of the tool.
My query is about the little baby boring bars. The best way to set them up and mount them. I don't have any boring bar holders that small. I almost said "of course," but I've learned when it comes to machining if somebody can think of it somebody has probably already made one. For my larger boring bars I have actual boring bar holders that fit the QCTP on the bigger lathe. Now I do have some tool holders for my QCTP that have a groove in the bottom for a boring bar. I keep a 3/8 boring bar in one all the time. Its pretty handy. I am just wondering if the little tiny 3/16 shank (.120 minimum hole size) micro bars will hold well in that or if they would just get lost. I'll have to cut pretty light since I'll be boring medium hard steel, and I'll be creeping up on a dimensions with a minus pin gage, but I want to get as rigid as possible with such a small tool.
My first thought was that I might have to make a holder for the little boring bars that will fit in the QCTP holder. I'll be drilling and boring modestly deep for that size tool.