Thread: Recommend me a parting off tool for an AL-30 lathe.

I use one of these on my AL320G, no problems so far, use slow speed and lots of coolant when cutting. Whether it will fit the smaller AL30 is something you'll need to test.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=L074

Firstly did you have the Tool ground correctly for what you are Parting.
Depending on the Diameter of the material you are Parting you could use HSS.(Apiece of Tool Steel ground to suit not a Parting Blade.
If you are Parting Ali you will need to have the job rotateing faster than Steel.
For the size machine you have anything bigger than a 3mm or 1/8" wide tool would be pushing it.
Dont really think you need any reccomendation for a parting Tool other than to make sure it is HSS not to wide Correct, clearances,correct top rake some type of coolant would be handy.
Make sure that the tool is on Centre or slightly bellow.
Make sure that you try and Feed the tool in at a uniform rate even though you will be doing this by hand.
And make sure that No swarf is building up on the tool more so with Ali as this can or will cause the Tool to break.

OK, now that you have found out what the quality of that tool set is, I think you'll agree with this word, " JUNK ".

Now go and buy toolsteel only, it's better and cheaper than that carbide junk, just learn how to sharpen the toolsteel properly and you won't have any major hassles with it at all.

Working with ally, make sure you up the revs a bit and use a can of WD 40, to act as a coolant or cutting fluid, just spray it on the job as the tool is cutting, it's cheap and it works. Another good one is the lanolin in a spray can, only drawback with that is, the joint smells like a shearing shed as it evaporates/burns on the hot swarf, don't do it inside, or SWMBO will de-nut you 'cause of the pong.

Toolsteel working with steel, slow the revs down a bit, or you will be forever removing the tool and re-sharpening it, but, it will still do the job better than that el-cheapo carbide junk.

regards radish

Would these be ok?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/5PCE-3-L-5-16...3A1%7C294%3A50

Pricewise is this an averedge price to pay?

I would not think so. For parting off you need a very thin blade, around 1/8" or 3mm maximum. While it is possible to grind a parting off blade from those blanks, if you are just starting out it will be difficult for you to get the tool just right.

There are purpose ground parting off blades available that already have the side and front reliefs ground for you, all you need to do is grind the top a little. An example is at https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...tockCode=L011B , this blade is held in a tool such as https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=L073 or https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=L074 (the latter is better).

You can get these from Hare & Forbes, General Tools in Adelaide etc. They do a good job.

As a beginner, it took me quite a while to find that you're supposed to part off as close to the chuck as possible.

Seems to be one of those 'so blatantly obvious that it never needs to be written down' bits of info.

Cheers,
Andrew

Got given some blanks,so thought id have a go a shaping my own part off tool...

Turned out #### house.

Had 2 goes at shaping(1 at either end of the blank) & have realised i prob cant do it lol.


Anyone know of any templates online or anyone in Adelaide willing to grind a couple for me?

Regards

Where in Adelaide are you located, I'm happy to show you what to do.

buy this and then just buy a piece of HSS and grind the appropriate angles on it. The quickchange toolpost comes with 2 tool holders and a parting blade holder.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=L280

Whilst I'm not saying you don't need a QCTP, if you can't sharpen your HSS tool bits then that isn't really going to improve things.

A QCTP is nice to have, I have one with several tool holders, it doesn't help you grind your tool bits.

May I suggest you download this old Southbend publication that has been floating around the net for quite some time

http://www.akpilot.net/How%20To%20Gr...he%20Tools.pdf

It has certainly helped me get up to speed with grinding my HSS tool bits, including parting tools. To the point that I haven't used my carbide indexable set for quite a while.

There are various other good references on the net, a quick Google will find them easily. Sherline has some info on this subject.

The correct angles and correct tool height is the secret to all metal lathe cutting but especially parting off. DAMHIKIT!

The other "secret" ingredient is practice, practice, practice.....................

This link will point you at the Sherline info, as well as some good others.

Yeah i just modelled mine off of the one about half way down this link,the one ground out of a blank

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe...ng/parting.htm