What method do you use to find center height for your lathe bit?

Sorry, ignore that - have found the thread. Nice job!

I use a cheap "thickness" gauge.

Works pretty well.

JIm

Edited By jimmy b on 29/06/2019 07:43:11

For final finishing I have found this tool quite handy, especially on 'difficult' materials. Shear tool

It is not picky regarding height as it is automatically on center due to the design. Indeed, I raise and lower mine with the QCTP to present a fresh edge for the final finishing cut.

Notice that I said "Finishing Cut" - only good for the last 0.001" or so but what a lovely finish.

If I had the time it would be interesting to experiment with the cutting angle for various materials. I have noticed that brass with a finely honed HSS edge can appear as a mist of tiny motes when the light is right.

* Danny M *

Danny thanks mate for the link to the shearing tool.

I use a length of aluminium round bar faced off at each end,the length is the centre height of the lathe (bed to Centre) at the top end I have an offset steel penny washer secured with a small screw the washer overhangs the ally bar by about half an inch on one side, To set a cutting tool the top tip of the tool just slides under the washer,I used alloy bar so that if dropped or knocked over it does not damage machined surfaces of the lathe, I got this idea from my first job,a similar tool made from steel was used to set tooling on a Ward capstan, to set the rear toolpost tools the top of the bar just slid under the rear tool . Simple !!!

Estimation followed by adjustment if necessary. Colin

That shearing tool works on the same principle as a skew chisel in woodturning. Hard to use woodturning to avoid a dig in but that wouldn't happen here. I'll have to make one because I find it difficult to get a good finish. Thanks for the post.

Thanks Danny, I read about those years ago and still haven't got round to grinding one up.

Neil

And this is what a shear tool does on a shaper;

Thank you Danny, I've just ground one up and tested on brass, excellent finish with long swarf finer than a hair

I just made a height gauge that matches the top of the tool tip which is just the right height to face off perfectly.