Toolholders & Inserts

Years ago, I bought some ‘Sumitomo’ toolholders from The ME Exhibition. From reading previous threads on this subject, I have decided the lack of availability of replacement inserts, leads me to re-equip my lathe tools.

Can anyone recommend a series of toolholder / insert that are not outrageously expensive, give good results on common metals and are not likely to be obsolete in a few years.

In anticipation

Steve Osborne

I ahve bought Sandvik holders and inserts at exhibitions from Greenwood Tools and generally found them very good. Have bought compatible inserts and holders also from JB Cutting Tools and equally happy.

Hi Stephen

If you still have the Sumitomo holders I would advise you only need to find a source of the correct type inserts from other suppliers.
All you need is the insert type code number to start a search.

Have a look on this site for the insert shape for your holder.

https://www.shop-apt.co.uk/carbide-inserts.html

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 14/11/2018 10:53:16

Have a look at JB Cutting Tools. They make toolholders for the very commonly-available inserts such as CCMT and DCMT shapes. Bear in mind that there are also CCGT and DCGT inserts, which are ground and are really sharp, unlike the CCMT/DCMT types, which are really only suited to industrial-type lathes; a Colchester Bantam size as a minimum. The -GT inserts are intended for use on aluminium, but I've used them very successfully on all materials. You can take very fine cuts indeed with them, not something you can do with the -MT inserts.

Ebay is a source of the CCGT/DCGT and other shaped inserts; many of them come from China, so they may not be as good as European or Japanese ones - but they're often very reasonably priced.

Downside is that the -GT inserts are extremely brittle - I've bust more than one by accidentally moving the carriage and hitting the stationary chuck when I've been cleaning the lathe!

JB Cutting tools (usual disclaimer) are very helpful - give them a ring (01246 418110) to discuss!

Totally agree with Nigel my summitomo tools are fitted with inserts from JB. CCMT 060402. Give them a bell and Jenny or Paul will sort you out . No need to buy new holders...edit, they work brilliantly on a S7 no problems with deep  1/8” or very fine cuts 1/2 thou

Edited By Zan on 14/11/2018 12:46:59

Would really depend on what Sumi holders you have if they are a more obscure and older design you will have a job getting inserts to suit which is why I assume you are asking. What is the holder ref and what is the insert ref?

If they are some Sumi specific peg or clamp style then you won't be able to put CC** or DC** insert on them

Here you go,I bought these this summer and have been very pleased with them.

**LINK**

If the holders are in god shape I don't see any benefit replacing them if they use a common type of insert.

I find this tip shape allows good area of support in the tool so lessening any vibration problems, the 07 type holders do leave the cutting tip out on a limb with very little support.

**LINK**

The tips supplied are 04 nose radius, not 02 in the link Tim posted.

Emgee

i shall pray for you my son.

I forgot the name of the chap who used to demonstrate and sell Sumitomo holders at the ME shows, some fifteen+ years ago.

However, I am aware that the inserts for the holders he sold were unique to Sumitomo, rather than the common sizes.

ARC started selling the common Sumitomo holders and common Sumitomo inserts around 2011.

Once the chap who demonstrated at the shows retired, we started getting enquiries for the special inserts, but we were unable to service initially due to price/moq.... and in some cases certain inserts became obsolete in Sumitomos range. It was cheaper to switch to the more common holders and inserts, be they Sumitomo or any other.

Ketan at ARC

Edited By Ketan Swali on 15/11/2018 11:19:24

I shall continue to pray for an effective spell checker - not that it would have saved this typo.

Thanks for all the replies especially Ketan Swall. The reason for my post was that I have had great difficulty sourcing inserts. JB found me some inserts for the turning holders but took months to find inserts for the boring bar. They are obviously rare and possibly obsolete.

The code numbers on the holders do not seem to match those on replacement insert websites eg:

SCLCR1010-03S

BBPT_210R512

My holders are in excellent condition, but I would like to replace them now. Any recommendations gratefully appreciated.

Steve

Stephen, I too have some old sumitomo tools and quite right they are odd sizes i did however find a source i seem to remember liverpool or wigan way ill see if i can did the info out over the weekend.

Stephen its just come to me the company i delt with were in the stages of merging with Lloyd Jones so give them a call

The "SCLCR" designator tells you what the toolholder looks like and what insert it takes. It's an ISO std (as is the insert designation). There's a quick guide here although most manufacturers will include it in their catalogues of industry std tools.

No idea about the "BBPT" markings. Suspect they are a proprietary system that may predate the ISO std.

Murray

Edit - should have said that the SCLCR is probably the most common boring bar style we encounter. It takes the CCMT / CCGT inserts although be aware there are several different sizes.

Edited By Muzzer on 16/11/2018 20:57:32