Mystery Willard Lathe Tool

The idea of the swan neck tool, also used for my pet hate, parting off, is that instead of the top rake angle tending to pull the tool into the work if it digs in, the split in the swan neck allows the cutter to move away from the work, thus preventing damage to cutter, job, and soiled underwear!

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Well put, Phil ... 'though the patent doesn't actually claim savings on laundry costs.

MichaelG.

Nice find Michael.

Love those old style drawings. Clear and just that bit more elegant than modern CAD prints.

Looks like the screw adjustment feature to limit the amount of spring and, probably, adjust the tool tip stiffness too didn't make it into production.

Still no answer as to what sort of tool mounts on the one Brian has. As I read the patent there is a reference to supporting the tool laterally by contact with the side of the tool holder. The parting off tool holder seems to get extra support in that manner. Suggests the idea that the one Brian has may have been made to carry tools in small separate holders bolted up onto the spring unit with face almost rubbing against the tool holder body to provide support it it tries to twist isn't completely implausible. I imagine these spring holders would have been relatively expensive new so separate tool-holders to fit a common sprung shank seems a good way of making a more affordable system.

Pete. PM sent.

Clive.

I know that this is an old-ish thread, but I just came by one of these. Actually 2, because the lot also included a Willard No. 4D cutoff tool holder as well. My tool holder is marked as a 0-F. There is also the number 5 stamped on the bottom which may be the size, or a part number. The tool came with 3 cutters: 2 blanks, and one that had been ground to a shape.