LATHE Owners - Where can I find some inexpensive PARTING TOOL bits?

shopnut · Jan 17, 2011

I'm looking for a small parting/grooving/cutoff tool bit for my 12x36" old Atlas with a QCTP. It will accept up to a 1/2" tall tool.

I'm looking to spend under $20/bit. I found plenty of ceramic insert type for $80+, but I don't think I need anything that fancy. HSS or carbide tip would be fine - I'm mostly machining aluminum.

Any suggestions?

A_Pmech · Jan 17, 2011

Any machine shop supply will carry parting blades in all the standard sizes. I usually buy from MSC.

Do you have a parting blade holder? You need one of those first if you don't already have one.

Is this an Aloris / Dorian style toolpost, or a turret-style toolpost?

shopnut · Jan 17, 2011

I have a wedge-style Aloris type like this. It has a dedicated parting tool holder as shown on the far left. A little wedge screws in to fasten the bit in the holder.

gloveman132 · Jan 17, 2011

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=218&PARTPG=INLMK3&PMITEM=317-3576

afazz · Jan 17, 2011

I also use the style like the Aloris posted above, except Phase II brand. I got the whole setup from MSC I think because I was in a hurry, but Enco sells them cheaper. I think the holder is ~$30 and HSS blades are ~$10 each. In the front of this pic:

Edit: They're called "cut-off tool bits" in the MSC catalog. Big Book page 536-540, I can't seem to find the exact one I have.

hofferwood · Jan 18, 2011

I'm gonna catch hell fer this, but here goes

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-metalworking-lathe-replacement-blades-40088.html
Chuck

shopnut · Jan 18, 2011

Thanks for your replies.

gloveman132 said:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=218&PARTPG=INLMK3&PMITEM=317-3576

This enco page appears to show the inserts - am I wrong? I don't have the holder for them.

afazz said:
I also use the style like the Aloris posted above, except Phase II brand. I got the whole setup from MSC I think because I was in a hurry, but Enco sells them cheaper. I think the holder is ~$30 and HSS blades are ~$10 each. In the front of this pic:

Edit: They're called "cut-off tool bits" in the MSC catalog. Big Book page 536-540, I can't seem to find the exact one I have.

I think the narrow "blade" type shown in your picture would work nicely.

I have seen others ground down from square stock to the desired width. I wonder how easy that is, and does it hurt the heat treatment?

hofferwood said:
I'm gonna catch hell fer this, but here goes

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-metalworking-lathe-replacement-blades-40088.html
Chuck

Does anyone know if they sell these sets in the retail stores? Shipping for mail order might be close to the item cost in this case, and I hate when that happens. Since this will be a low use item for me, HF might be fine.

Thanks again everyone.

hofferwood · Jan 18, 2011

At the closest Hf here It's about 1 of the 3 or 4 things fer the lathe in the store, they also carry the 1/4" carbide indexables for 25 bones (5pc)
Call 'em with the part#, they'll tell ya
Chuck

unclemoak · Jan 18, 2011

I have no idea where to get cheap parting bits, but one note on prolonging their life: Use the power feed (if you have one) for parting. Doing this helps to keep consistent pressure on the cutter and it is less prone to breaking.

Ign · Jan 18, 2011

shopnut said:
I have seen others ground down from square stock to the desired width. I wonder how easy that is, and does it hurt the heat treatment?

Um, just like grinding any HSS you need a water pot nearby. Try not to let it get blue. Otherwise no different than shaping any HSS tool, just takes longer.

I bought the whole Hertel setup from MSC w carbide inserts. The initial investment is whatever it is, but just swap inserts after that with easy options of R, L or N depending upon where you want the burr to end up.

How narrow can HSS blades be purchased? With your little 12x36 tool contact should be a consideration. I'm using the ~.089 inserts and I think there's a ~.062 option w the appropriate blade.

LATHE Owners - Where can I find some inexpensive PARTING TOOL bits?

shopnut

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A_Pmech

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shopnut

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gloveman132

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afazz

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hofferwood

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shopnut

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hofferwood

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unclemoak

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Ign

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