Member postings for Roy M

see WNT Tooling catalogue on line

John Alexander Stewart . Ref end mill holder wear. I noticed the date on the link. 2001. It is worth mentioning that the design in cutting tools and tool-holding has progressed enormously in the last 15 years. Even the concept of taking big cuts with big cutters has been re-evaluated, spindle speeds of 20,000 Rev/min were in the infancy back then and now are common place in newly equipped machine shops. Cutting forces have been reduced by improved cutter geometry. Also no mention was made of shrink fit tool holding. ( just more 'stuff' to scramble the brain!). Hope this gives you a new line for research, Roy M.

The problem with Arkansas stones is twofold. 1/ they are expensive and 2/ they don't bounce when dropped. Consequently I have a good few 'short bits' that I was lothe to part with - until my 'after retirement' clear out this winter, so watch this space for bargains! Roy M.

Edited By Roy M on 04/10/2016 12:45:03

Edited By Roy M on 04/10/2016 12:45:37

As a jig-borer in the 70's, Arkansas stone was the preferred medium. I have continued using this grade of hard, very fine grit ever since. I would recommend its use, almost mirror finish is possible. Excellent finish is transferred to the workpiece. They are, as the name suggests, from Arkansas USA. Available from Cromwell tools.

I would recommend Clarkson FC3 cutters, I have used them professionally for donkeys years especially small diameters.There are some on EBay now for less than a fiver. They are short series and offer rigidity and accuracy, they also last well. Roy M.

Thanks for sales advice! I will list stuff , by category I think, when It starts getting dark and rainy! So watch this space!

I have just retired from running a machine shop, Mitutoyo or Kennedy brand have been my preferred choice for years. Good battery life and dependability, professional tools really. I would steer clear of M&W economy range, I think the are just re badged cheapies.

As an aside, I have a wealth of tool room equipment, measuring, setting equipment, tooling etc., for sale to good home at fair prices, not sure of the best way to list, so guidance would be appreciated !

Roy M.

Can't recommend strongly enough, the purchase of a ceramic turning tip. You can turn 62Rc easily. And remove quite a lot of material if you are patient, even convert 1" shank to 20mm on milling cutters.

This may sound counter intuitive, but depending upon how much value you attach to your cutters, another approach would be to lay the plate flat,(as for drilling), and then use the very top of your cutter to cut the slot leaving a full rad on the bottom to be removed on a second setup. The reasons for this approach are that you get to use the part of the cutter seldom used(the top bit), thus minimising cutter flexing and preserving the bottom portion for creating square accurate corners. The life of cutters or lathe tools is measured by the time the tool is actually in cutting, so if you take three cuts, then, in theory, it will wear out three times quicker. Once the edge has gone, cutter flexing and poor size and finish will result. Roy K.

A tip you may find useful when fly cutting,if the facility exists on your machine, is to apply a small amount of friction to the spindle using the spindle brake whilst cutting. This ensures that the gears are always engaged and prevents them from bashing themselves to death. It usually eliminates the ripple finish sometimes experienced at the start of the cut. Roy M.

I have successfully converted an old BT40 ER32 holder for use on a lathe, simply by turning the taper into a shaft. I say 'simply', but although technically unchallenging, the metal removal was a bit of a struggle as the one I converted was a bit 'ard. It runs very true, and runout can be zero if held in a 4 jaw chuck. Roy M.

I think that if they are soft, then any ding will make them run out. Could you not harden them and then turn with ceramic tip? Bought ones are hardened for a good reason.

If it wasn't for calculators ,et al, there would be need for soduko.

I hope you all realise that this chart only works if you use logarithms!

You can get CBN wheels specifically for grinding tungsten carbide. An 80mm wheel run at the correct surface speed will give years of good service, and won't fill your workshop with carborundum dust! Roy M

I like this thread, it makes me feel normal. It's comforting to know I'm not alone! Roy M.

At the risk of flogging this thread to death, precision ER32 collets are now available with an in-built sliding button that engages with the flat on weldon (side-lock) cutters to eliminate any cutter creep. When you see the speed that new cnc's make swarf, and the price tag on some cutters, it's best not to take a chance! RoyM

I have amongst my accumulated tooling 'stuff' , a clarkson attachment to convert a 16mm or 5/8" collet holder into a 6mm or 1/4" sidelock cutter holder. I'm not sure if other sizes are available, but I have found this an extremely useful bit of kit over the years. Offering the best of both holding systems. Roy M.

Oops! Runout is .001mm Roy M.

Information on er collets and other stuff is available on the WNT tooling centre website. (Milling- rotating tools- collet chucks). Centro P chucks with precision collets have a stated run out of .0001mm. I use these chucks professionally. Roy M.