Inserted and Special Lathe tools

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Chris, I have done what you mention. In fact you can turn high speed drill blanks in the lathe to make special geometries that are difficult to grind. Beware of anybody that says never and always too much. Its all about the work. If you consume a carbide end mill to save two hours of grinding and you're willing to sacrifice the end mill then by all means proceed. Trolls would complain you are wearing out that grinding wheel by rubbing a tool on it. you will never win that crowd. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi annoyed, You hit the nail on the head. There are lots resources for the real basic stuff. Not wanting to repeat, I generally like to focus on the stuff that takes thirty years to figure out. There seems to be enough interest in toolbit honing that I think of something for a dedicated video. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Jack, Thanks for the comment. There is a Russian fellow, Victor Leontiev that I follow on YT that has some great stuff on tool grinding. I can't understand him, but his video's are excellent and it gives you all kinds of ideas. If you told somebody back in 1990 that we would be watching Russian toolmakers on the computer nobody would have believed you. Best, Tom

[@andreturnbull1259]

Great tool... off to the shop to make one, right now. Thanks, love your videos. And yes, the old guys knew their stuff. My father was an instrument maker in WWII and made gyroscopes for the bomb sights of aircraft. Very high tolerance precision work and he learned it from, guess who, the old guys.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Jack, Good question. Parting is one of those things like knurling that people get tripped up on. Here is Tom's three pieces of advice for parting that will fit in the comments, 1. Be sharp, be square and be on center with the world. 2. Keep your slot wet at all times. 3. Feed like a CNC lathe, steady and relentless. The cnc lathe is too dumb to be scared of parting so it just does what you tell it to do. Regards, Tom

[@samuelrathbone9096]

Tom thank you so much hard work making these instructional videos, I am a retired mechanic/ supervisor i worked in a industrial waste water treatment plant for 33 years . Thanks again. Sam

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Ptman, Thanks for the comment. You need both. High speed will do almost anything, and a few things carbide has a hard time with. In particular when you need the sharpest most keen cutting edges possible. You might see this turning very small diameter work or in materials that need that razor sharp edge such as plastics. The cobalt dust is not the worry. Its dust in general. Any fine powders are really bad for you. Corn flake dust will kill you if its fine enough. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Marcus, I hate to power feed parting tools in the summer for obvious reasons...... Thanks for the correction and great question. Best, Tom

[@charrontheboatman]

The difference you make in honing the nose radius's no matter the size, is freakin amazing! it really shows that if you take the time to prep, anything can come out pretty and functional. thanks for showing us all the tricks, that a lot of us can't get from "The Old Guy" in a shop.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Stefan, Thanks for the comment. I forgot to mention if you grind your boring tool with a 45 degree lead angle you can chamfer the internal edge at the same time and reduce tool changes to one. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Marcus, Great question. The parting tool I keep set up in the lathe does not have any chipbreaker features. If you watch closely you will see me pause every once in a while to get another lick on the handle. This breaks the chip and lets it come out of the groove and fall away. With parting you can pack the groove if its deep and then have some exciting video to share. On smaller stuff I do use the power feed sometimes. Regards, Tom

[@JohnBare747]

Old school tricks work for me. Thanks Tom for spreading the old time knowledge, one more arrow in the quiver. A possible Ah Ha! somewhere down the line, a pure nugget just waiting to happen. I go to do something and suddenly remember my Grandpa in his shop telling me when I was a kid some trick or tip, he was a machinist at Mare Island from the late 30's until the 1970's, he had a trick or two up his sleeve. I miss the old codger.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Bill, You are correct about not needing the carbide grinder. I like the diamond wheel because it has such a sharp corner on it. The little recess on the tool I ground is hard to access on a normal bench grinder. The wheel on the bench grinder would have to be dressed so the corner was a lot sharper than it was. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Herb, With the camera zoomed it looked like it was running around on the bench. I'll clamp it down for the next toolbit video. On another note I liked your tool block holder rack. Great idea with the blades that fit the dovetail. I may glom that idea for something on my lathe. Thanks for sharing. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi EF, Just glad to hear you're not vaporized in a cloud of ozone. Saw some big caps go to salvage the other day and thought of you. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi ytmachx, Thanks for taking the time and Goggling up all the specs on the inserts. I can never remember all the insert codes from memory. Thanks for the comment. Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Mictho, Glad you liked it. Judging from the number of comments this video is seeing I think this is a popular subject. Thanks for the comment. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi John, Thanks for the comment. Actually I show that same tool somewhere in the book but without a demonstration. I tell shop people to two books in the john at work. The McMaster Carr catalog and Sink or Swim. Even people that don't read books will read something in the stall and you never know what you will find. It makes a good story too. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Michel, Next time I do a tool bit I'll include some more traditional hand honing on a whetstone. I try to include some safety items as they come up. Thanks for the suggestion. The grinding disc is diamond plated onto a perforated backing plate which I believe is made of nickel. I like this type as they tend to not load up. As you see I don't limit myself to just carbide with the diamond wheel. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Earl, It depends how big you want to go and the materials you intend to cut. Take a look at some of the steady rest vids for a cutter I like for steel. For soft stuff like plastics and aluminum I really like AB tools Shear Hogs. Hope that helps. Regards, Tom

[@redphill1561]

Thank you for all the knowledge you give on your channel. I recently restored my grandfather's lathe and you and TOT are the reason I had some idea of what and how to do it.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Larry, Got it. Planning some kind of toolbit video. Seems like there is enough interest. Thanks for the comment and feedback. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Pherd, We you certainly got my attention. Now I'm wondering who your neighbor is. LBL or LLNL? The honing I showed was just to deal with the nose radius I created, Traditional honing is similar but addresses all the cutting edges. I would normally use a normal alum oxide bench stone, but out of habit just grabbed the diamond hone. Regards, Tom

[@larrycainis]

Great stuff Tom. Consider your knowledge passed on and I will follow your lead and pass this on to my grandson. At 57 I too am an old duffer

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Jack, Thanks for the comment and filming pointers. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Joe makes a good point. High speed tools come in many shapes and sizes. Square is not the only thing available. Best, Tom

[@robertoswalt319]

Tom, I came back to this video because I finally got a decent grinder with proper wheels. I tried to make this tool years ago with my cheap grinder but gave up because the wheels weren't up to the task. Thank you again for all of the great videos.

[@AddictedtoProjects]

Hi again Tom! The things is; as a hobbyist, I usually can only pick up this information from books, blogs and forum posts. There's a couple of vids on the subject on KZbin, but dare I say, NONE as comprehensive in regards to the steps. Most of them only show the sharpening of the tool on a rough grinder disk. Not the re-touching on the diamond disk and then the honing. That's why I really appreciate that you reveal the tips of your trade and give me the opportunity to see this stuff. =)

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Flip, The top of the tool is on centerline. You are correct that is almost like scraping. You also well know that metal behaves much differently than wood. You could add some positive rake to the top of the tool (make it sharper). It would cut more freely but not last as long. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Mictho, If there is something special you would like to see put it out there. If your thinking you would like to see something you can bet there are a dozen other folks wondering the same thing. I have no idea what you guys want to watch so I just throw stuff out there and see what sticks to the wall. Thanks for the comment. Would hand honing of toolbit edges be a good subject for a video? Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi David, We used to use broken center drills on our boring and threading bars in the lathe. If its good hard steel then test it out. You can make up a quick boring bar with a round hole to fit the material you have. Grind up a cutting edge on it and see how it goes. Regards, Tom

[@outsidescrewball]

Great vid/instruction....think I now qualify as an old guy (but a novice) since I turned 60 today! Now I have another item to build....

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Dan, Thanks for the comment and compliment. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Johnny, Thanks for the comment and encouragement. We're all hacks at some level. I feel puny next to the guys I learned from which makes me appreciate them even more. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Bill, The aluminum oxide will work fine. It will break down pretty quickly doing what I was doing. You would only need a Silicon Carbide if you wanted to grind carbide tools more efficiently. Look for a harder plain Alo2. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi opencon, You are right, you can bore with one of those special tools. It wont work in this case without a tool change because its pointing the wrong way in the tool block. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi desmes, Some of the oils and lubes don't cross the borders very well. There are a few things I like in cutting oils which might make a good weeknight short video. Stay tuned you may see it soon. The main quality is can I put it where I want it. I typically thin the heavier cutting oils a little so they flow into the areas I care about. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Greg, Yes I did. I have a whole yarn to tell now. The steel I used for the pins has a good story to go with it. With your added intrigue it should make a great blog article. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Desmes, Thanks for the updated link. I like Marc's channel in French, I will probably really like it in English. Best, Tom

[@StefanGotteswinter]

Another great video with very good information! I realy like the turning/chamfering tool, will grind up one for myself soon, thats for sure :)

[@jessec5542]

Good info. I have practically given up television to watch your videos lately. I really appreciate you sharing your expertise. I learn something everyday. Keep the videos coming.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Jesse, I'm cheaper than Cable or Netflix. Rock out. Cheers, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi desmes, Thanks for the comment. I looked at Marc LEcuyer. I wish I understood French. He has some interesting video's. I don't know Keith other than by some email conversations. He has a great channel. Regards, Tom

[@BillyTpower]

i learn way more from watching and working with "old guys" than any day of my over priced college education.. good call Tom.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Tim, My lathe does not have a DRO, just a trav-a-dial. I plan on purchasing one soon which will probably end up being a little series on the install. Regards, Tom

[@KnolltopFarms]

Thanks for showing us your "Darlin Special" I enjoyed the lesson in crafting my own bits...Adam sent me a few more to grind on, so I guess I need to get my Dad's old bench grinder set up. Good thing I enjoy working in the shop, and it's coming up on my "shop season" where I get all sorts of days in the garage with time for my projects. Trying to get through a few oldies a week along with all of everyone's new content, and there are some gems to find...Thanks Again! Aloha...Chuck

[@oxtoolco]

Hey Chuck, Thanks for the comment. You will need that bench grinder if your going to play with high speed tools. Do a video on tuning it up and getting it ready. Cheers, Tom

[@KnolltopFarms]

oxtoolco Will do, I will make a mix on arranging the shop, leveling the lathe and prepping all of my tools for the long winter work season. That should make for a nice mix :) Thanks for the reply and Oh, one question. What kind of wheel dresser should I get for a 5 inch grinder? It's an old Craftsman...

[@rlsimpso]

Thank you for this video. That chamfering tool will be the first thing I make once I finish the new rest for my bench grinder.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Robert, You will like the chamfering bit. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Michael, There are quite a few lathe tools that fall under the heading of tangnetial tools. Are you referring to the holders that hold a high speed bit at near vertical? Put up a link so we can have a proper discussion about the tooling. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Mark, Its a fairly coarse aluminum oxide bench grinder wheel. Nothing fancy. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Chris, Cheapskates unite will be our slogan. I like looking at his Russian machinery. I've always been curious about their machine tool industry. Looking at all the stuff they built means they have a mature and advanced capability. Regards Tom Best, Tom

[@darylkesler8470]

How did I just find this.? great tool I will grind one today. love the "this getting old shit is getting old" How I know that feeling!

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Daryl, Glad I can still surprise you. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@BoffinGrusky]

Hey Man....extraordinary video!! Thank you for taking the time to produce and post it!! I'm a "weekend machinist" and the information from a pro like yourself is incredibly valuable for a "hack" like myself!!! Please keep them coming!!!

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Greg, The branch up where you are is the one that welds bandsaw blades, I get my Lennox Diemaster kick ass blades from them. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Rich, Thanks for the comment. Yeah when I watched the video with it zoomed in a little bit of movement looked like a mile on the video. Sorry about that. If I do another tool bit grinding video I'll clamp it down. Regards, Tom

[@LeDibeau]

Thanks for showing the UTFCT (universal turning - facing - chamfering tool)!! Just grinded one myself.

[@billdlv]

That's what I thought Tom thanks, we only have a bench grinder at the shop. It has pretty soft white aluminum oxide wheels on it, It's primarily used for grinding wood turning tools which are HSS. I will try to get a a silicon carbide wheel on one side then have a go, we have a bunch of tool blanks though they are pretty small.

[@xmachine7003]

Thank you and Mike for the killer tool. I like it. I am paying attention.

[@reideichner8597]

Nice video, Tom. I like your attention to detail. Always good learning from the "old" guys! I had to chuckle about your comment on getting the magnifiers. I am at that stage too!

[@lyntonr6188]

hi tom , thanks for the excellent video , us young guys still have a lot to learn before we become wise old machinists like you ! think i might head out to the shop and grind one of those tools now , looks very useful .

[@oxtoolco]

+Lynton Rodda Hi Lynton, Well how did it work out? Did you make the tool? Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@lyntonr6188]

Hi Tom, the tool works well, I think I need to put a little more of a radius on the main turning section for a better finish but it is much easier than changing tools 3 times. Thanks for your reply!

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Greg, Try your new tool guy over at Western. They supplied inserted tool holders that would fit the BXA holders. I think RTA is the mfg that has some smaller shank sizes available. Best, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Greg, Better run a broom around that shop of yours. We are all waiting to see the Seattle Precision Skunk works. Best, Tom

[@ls2005019227]

Despite watching this video originally a couple of years ago, I was searching for the type of carbide inserts you used (I've got a lot of 17-4 laying around & need to get better carbide) and enjoyed going through it again. There's a lot of good info in this one. Thanks for the tip on the the HSS tool; I'll definitely be making one of those.

[@richgage6510]

Hi Tom Thanks for sharing that video and information. The toolbit you made is similar to one I have in my box. Only difference is I have relief both sides and set it in the lathe like a boring bar. This allows me to face, turn, bore and chamfer with the same tool. especially useful for any type of ring components. Especially large quantities. Again Thanks for sharing and Please Bolt your grinder down!! :)

[@StraightThread]

Cool! That's a great tool bit you ground. I'll be making one for myself. Keep the videos coming!

[@davebarcelon]

Very helpful thank you for taking the time to help people like my self learn what you have taken years to develop!!!!!

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Dave, Thanks for the comment and participation. All the best, Tom

[@mrmjdza]

I use a Corloy PSSNR tool for that all the time. It was the first tool holder I ever bought just because it looked so versatile :)

[@oxtoolco]

+Mike Davison Hi Mike, Have you been satisfied with the Korloy inserts? Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@w056007568]

Most interesting with good photography and excellent explanations of what you are trying to achieve all the time.

[@reideichner8597]

Hi Tom, I am not sure if I want to go through the 18 year old to now, but my body does feel the age. You look like you get around pretty good. I sure enjoy watching your videos! They are a great help to a lot of us. Best Regards, Reid

[@bendavanza]

I just made one today, it's a great tool! Thanks!

[@muhaahaloa941]

Started grinding the tool today belongs you lay out and scribe all the 45 deg angles first and grind your reliefs in whilst grinding your angles,Its surprisingly easy tool to make,I've turned mine into a boring bar its perfect for what i need cheers TOM..It will do all 5 of the internal and external chamfers i need it to do :) and facing op.

[@oxtoolco]

We need some pictures! Best, Tom

[@Bestcabinetmaker]

Great info, more on all types of toolgrinding is needed. Thanks, Larry

[@AddictedtoProjects]

Loved the video Tom. Many thanks for posting it. I'm only just learning to grind HSS lathe tools, so I found this really interesting. Especially the various stages of the grinding process, such as roughing, then over to the carbide grinder, and finally the diamond hone for the tip radius. Brilliant! =)

[@johnjoines1732]

Tom, Thanks a million for this information. I am going back and attempting to review all your videos to pick up additional tricks of the trade. I plan on purchasing your books in the near future. Respectfully, John

[@oxtoolco]

John Joines Hi John, Thanks for the comment and support. Cheers, Tom

[@ExStaticBass]

I would actually like to see one of these bits made in an end mill. It seems the tooling would make for a fairly clean bit to start. It wouldn't leave much touch up to do. Also, that would make it fairly simple to mill a chip breaker into the tool too.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Exstatic, I'm not sure I follow your comment but I'll try. I think you are suggesting milling the profile in the lathe tool instead of grinding it. If so you are correct you could do it that way. It takes a while to mill very hard things but the finish comes out great. Regards, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Kump, Take some time to show that grandson of yours how to do things with his hands. It will reward him for the rest of his life. Regards, Tom

[@hugoagogo2307]

Yea the good thing about the trigon tips is that they are good for facing too so if you have some meat to come of the face I find they are good for 2mm cuts+, and the high rake tips for soft materials I find can work well with hardened steels too

[@gasworker3042]

Hi Tom, Great info on the inserts! I hope to up grade my tooling to inserts soon. Thanks for the video's

[@norwamoom]

Thanks for sharing this video Tom. I am going to make one out of H.S.S. for every day turning. This video was so helpful.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Ron, I think you will like it. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@jabernathy2595]

Excellent video. Very informative!! I'm a "newbie" and have had my mini lathe for about three months. I learned a lot watching just this one video. Thank you.

[@LambertZero]

I don't know if you heard about it, but I think you might get a bit of a kick out of it. That custom turning tool demonstrated, and some youtube machinists now sometimes refer to as oxtools tool. It's actually very common here in Russia. Factories produce them by thousands, it's a standard thing. Usually with brazed-on carbide tip. Usually people grind chip-breakers in them, sometimes pretty severe. You can still do inside chamfers even with a chip breaker, if it's not too crazy. So... that's my cool story for today. :-) Cheers.

[@gunsmither]

Great tool idea Tom. Thanks!

[@gbowne1]

Love the lennox blades I use the ol hacksaw blades and the older generation of DieMaster.

[@JackHoying]

Another informative video. I like the sound effects you add when describing the cuts. A new grinder and some better wheels is something I'll have to pick up soon. Also, you might consider adding a bit more light when filming. In photography and video production, lighting is what makes the details show up. Thanks, Jack

[@gbowne1]

I use a ton of lathe tooling I have gotten on eBay over the years. Oh and Tom, I just signed up with western tool & supply here, let's see if they're better than my other suppliers. Seems good so far.

[@pvtimberfaller]

You could do the same job with two boring bars, one inside, one out side. I have had to reach around the OD of a piece too big for the cross slide but would still swing (something to pay attn to when buying a lathe if you plan on doing a lot of large work in a gap, just cause' you can swing it doesn't mean it doesn't mean you can reach it)

[@texasreaper1]

Tom, would you show the spring type tool holder shown on page 108 in your book and talk about it and maybe show it in use? I enjoy your videos.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi James, That's a good one for a shorty. It does not fit my current toolpost unfortunately. It would be way more impressive to actually cut something with it. Great suggestion. Cheers, Tom

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Reid, I wish I had my brain in an eighteen year old body. Man could I get some stuff done. The problem with an eighteen year old body is the stock brain that comes with it. Regards, Tom

[@xmachine7003]

😂😂😂😂dumb as a hammer at 18

[@vanguardcycle]

"pay attention to old guys" wish i would have headed this advice years ago ;)

[@VoidedWarranty]

I was given a toolbit that looked almost identical to that, but had enough clearance to bore with as well, over about 3/4" ID. I don't have enough cross slide range to do it with the same tool setup though, I have to remove and flip it to normal boring bar orientation on the front of my tool post instead of just moving it to the rear of the tool post.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Chris, I never experimented with relieving one of these so they could bore. You might be able to just do it all with the tool facing the headstock and relieve the side opposite the boring edge. Have to think about that. Cheers, Tom

[@billrichardson4873]

Great video Tom, thank you for sharing....

[@Fredruiz622]

Nice info and thanks for taking the time to teach us!

[@oxtoolco]

+Fred Feliciano Hi Fred, Thanks for the comment, Cheers, Tom

[@FredMiller]

Great video Tom. Thanks for sharing.

[@davehair682]

Thanks for the video very informative - heading out to the shop to make one of those tools right now - also will be checking out more of your ideas. regards, Dave

[@oxtoolco]

Dave Hair Hi Dave, Glad you liked the tools. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@ptman3]

Hi Tom. Great video! Regarding carbide inserts, a lot of folks online advocate HSS instead. They claim manual lathes run too slow for carbide. However, it's hard to find HSS inserts and carbide is cheap, convenient and readily available. Plus, for HSS blanks, I'm a little worried about the danger's of cobalt dust when using the most durable blanks. Can you also talk a bit more about speeds, feeds and surface finish using carbide in a future video? And thanks for sharing!

[@gbowne1]

Sent you a little history on my shop a bit ago. Happy reading. Use the infomation how you like. Thanks, Greg

[@gbowne1]

As soon as the smoke and dust clears from the backside of my shop, ill put up some videos on stuff. You'll get to see quite a bit of the non secret stuff I do.

[@jflueger]

Like your videos, always in the learning phase.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Flueger, Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom

[@cliffjones1511]

Thanks Tom a friend gave me one of those cutting tools had no idea what it was for.

[@oxtoolco]

Hey Cliff, Thanks for the comment. Does your lathe tool look similar? Cheers, Tom

[@cliffjones1511]

almost identical

[@jerrywells4380]

Good info. Thanks for sharing Jerry

[@MartyEscarcega]

You could have bored with your custom ground bit as well correct? Thanks for the demo!

[@gbowne1]

Tom, Read the book a while back. Was a great one. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also enjoyed Mrpete222's books also a great read for any machinst, weekend or otherwise.