parting tools question

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
watch_art

watch_art

Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2011
Messages
1,819
Location
hot springs, ar
I have one of your bog standard wood lathe parting tools. Wooden handle with hss tip (that broke off during first use - but sharpened the nub b/c it was better that way).

I'm past the bit of hss that was left and have only a bit of flat steel that I try putting an edge on to use as a parting tool.
It seems like a big waste of time.

Could I use this instead?

1/8"MICRO-100 BOUBLE SIDED SUPER CARBIDE PARTING BLADE | eBay

I need something that I won't have to sharpen. I'm horrible at sharpening things. I may as well use a hammer to sharpen my turning tools. I love my woodchuck with the carbide tips - I'd be DELIGHTED if there were anything about 2-3mm wide that I could attach to my woodchuck and use it as a parting tool.

Any advice - BESIDES learn to sharpen?
:biggrin:

Thanks!
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
I've seen a homemade parting tool with a very similar blade, so if you can find a way to secure it, the answer is a definite yes.
 
Shawn,

That first reference you gave that piece of metal was 2nd hand at that awful price.

Consider how far below thw pen or whatever you would have to set the turning rest (not
possible in most cases).

Billies suggestion has great merit.

Kind regards Peter.
 
I know you don't like to sharpen, BUT, here is an inexpensive way to get a parting tool AND since it is cheap you can practice sharpening it. Go to some yard sales and buy butter knives. Grind a point on them like the tool Billy referenced, begin to part. The other beauty is they are like 1/16 of an inch thick, which is great.
 
watch_art said:
I need something that I won't have to sharpen. I'm horrible at sharpening things. I may as well use a hammer to sharpen my turning tools. I love my woodchuck with the carbide tips - I'd be DELIGHTED if there were anything about 2-3mm wide that I could attach to my woodchuck and use it as a parting tool.

Any advice - BESIDES learn to sharpen?
:biggrin:

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Sorry, wont happen, you will have to do some type of sharpening on any cutting tool on the market currently.
 
*sad face*

oh well.

I guess I'll do the butter knife thing then, for practice at least.

And I'll go with Billy's suggestion.
:)
 
You can make that in 48 seconds...sawzall blade, round handle and black electrical tape...Bam! I'll send you one.
If you don't like to sharpen, how do you keep your tools sharp? Takes less time to sharpen 3 gouges than to turn a Sierra!
 
Last edited:
I use the woodchuck and avoid regular turning tools. I had a good tip on the parting tool for a while but I couldn't maintain it. Really frustrating to go from razor sharp and slicing off nice ribbons of material to a tip that's so dull you can't pick your fingernails with it.
:(
It's REALLY frustrating that I can't get that nice edge back no matter what I do either. I have no idea how I got that nice pretty edge. :mad:

edit:
Oh - and it's not so much that I need it for parting, but I use it to make tenons with.
 
watch_art said:
I use the woodchuck and avoid regular turning tools.... it's not so much that I need it for parting, but I use it to make tenons with.
Click to expand...

Two thoughts: first, for tenons you probably want a fat turning tool (like the 1/8" one someone linked to. Using a butter knife or sawzall blade makes for a very narrow parting tool, which lets you make parting cuts without losing a lot of material, but won't be nearly as good for cutting a tenon.

Second, have you tried using square inserts for the woodchuck? I mostly use the radius inserts, but the square one has a nice flat edge that should give you a perfect tenon.

What's your sharpening setup? Members here may be able to give you some tips to help you get better (or at least more consistent) results from sharpening.
 
Currently I don't have any sharpening setup. I need a jig. But I also need a finer grit wheel for my bench grinder - which I bought just so I could sharpen stuff. Ugh...
I have used and do like the square tips for my woodchuck - but the space a tenon needs to be doesn't allow the tip to fit...
For now instead of making the tenon 10 mm wide and using my old parting tool, I'm making the tenon about 18mm wide and then cutting off the end shorter before threading.

1_tenon.jpg
 
Last edited:
I might be able to make you a holder for one of those metal lathe cut off blades, PM me if you're interested, I'm sure we can come up with something.
 
You can buy these parting tools individually or in a set, does not take much to keep them sharp. Simple diamond card file will keep edge good to go.
Set of 3 Benjamin's Best HSS Parting Tools at Penn State Industries
Credit Card Diamond File Set at Penn State Industries
Diamond Hone Block - Four Sided Diamond Hone

If want inexpensive AL friable grinding wheel might try these folks.

Sharpening Supplies - Grinding Wheels

If need tips on sharpening or want to make your own jig check out these folks.

Articles about Sharpening from Woodturning Online

I have no problem recommending a Wolverine basic system with Vari grind jig.

Packard Woodworks: The Woodturner's Source: Oneway Sharpening System
Packard Woodworks: The Woodturner's Source: Oneway Sharpening System

If want to save a few bucks check out Penn State Wolverine clone.

Do not have any carbide tools only problem see with them is initial cost and cost of replacement tips. Making your own and buying tips from some vendors will save you big bucks. Buying and sharpening your HSS tool will save you more money.
 
watch_art said:
hewunch said:
I bought a live center from Grizzly that tapers back quickly. It solved your problem for me. It has a 60 degree point and then goes much thinner. Like this one H7962 Precision Long Nose Live Center - MT2
Click to expand...

That looks awesome.
Can you make a 10mm diameter tenon that's 10mm wide with it? Would you mind trying? :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I don't mind trying. Not sure when I will get to it, but I don't mind trying. What size hole would you have drilled in it?
 
Last edited:
so my new carbide tipped 1/8" parting tool showed up today along with a white aluminum wheel for my bench grinder and WOW how nice it is. Much better than the HSS tipped tool that broke in the first five minutes that I just threw in the trash. :)

Sharpened all my regular turning tools on the white wheel.

OH - and my bench grinder has an adjustable rest so I was able to just stick the tools on the rest and push them up against and twist to sharpen! very cool!
So I don't even need to make a jig for it. :biggrin:
 
Hey, Shawn, once you learn to sharpen, try making your own thin parting tool using a butter knife as mentioned earlier. I bought of 6 in stainless for about $5 at Wallyworld. Works great! I use mine regularly when turning.
 
About that Grizzley 9842 piece of blade: do you trust them that it's going to be 1/8 when the blade has 3/16 printed on it. It makes more sense and costs less in the long run to buy the proper tool for what you need.:wink:
 
nativewooder said:
About that Grizzley 9842 piece of blade: do you trust them that it's going to be 1/8 when the blade has 3/16 printed on it. It makes more sense and costs less in the long run to buy the proper tool for what you need.:wink:
Click to expand...

Barry,

Those are T-shaped with a square section on the edge that is thicker than the web. I have a few of them, and they are about 0.003 shy of width.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom