Lathe tooling chart

Hello,

I have an MD65 hobby lathe and am getting to grips with operation and have turned and parted off a few bits (screw cutting to come when more confident)

I have ordered a book by Harold Hall on lathework but in the meantime is there a good chart available which shows the different tools, pictures of the cutting ends and what application they should be used for ?

I trawled the internet but can't find a decent pictorial chart with descriptions.

Many thanks

Chris

Hi Chris,

May be this can be of use; Chapter 3 (page 25 onwards).

Thor

Hello Chris,

On the internet, mikesworkshop, gives some details and charts.

Bob

"The Amateur's Lathe" by LH Sparey has the best chart and descriptions of HSS tools I have seen. Very clear and easy to follow, as is the whole of the book. Available from bookdepository or amazon etc.

Edited By Hopper on 30/12/2019 10:43:42

In my view most 'veteran' charts show too many tool types. In HSS I use LH and RH knife tools, the only variations being very sharp with lots of top rake for aluminium or copper, flat topped for brass (not really needed) and some different tip radiuses.

These do virtually all turning and facing. Other tools will be parting and form tools whose shape is obvious from their function (threading, grooving, rounding etc.)

Exceptions you won't find on most charts anyway are tangential tools and the fine facing tool which has an angled, sharp edge and just takes a fine scrape from the work.

Neil

L H Sparey's book, "The Amateur's Lathe", although mostly showing the Myford ML7, is a useful source of information on tool grinding, as well as lathe work in general. Tool grinding is also covered in Ian Bradley's "The Amateur's Workshop" as well a vast amount of useful information on workshop techniques.

Tubal Cain's "Model Engineer's Handbook" is an invaluable reference book on all model engineering matters.

Howard

Agree with both Members, Sparey,s book is the one to go for. Simple, straight forward sound advice.

Although I am now an "Expert" [only every second job is a cock-up ] I still refer to it .

If you get through it all, you will have a very good grounding.

Well I'm a bit overwhelmed information wise - in a good way! Thank you all very much. What a great forum.

Since I ordered the Harold Hill book, I have seen some criticism re dated on approach and content? - So the Sparey's will be on the order list. Thank you Hopper, Howard & Larry.

Thor and Bob, thank you for those links, book marked and will be reading up. - In fact I have copied this thread to a doc so I can refer easier to it

Neil, I take your point and won't go spending on lots of tooling until I understand the basics of what I need.

If the external 3 jaws work out on this original 80mm chuck I will post back in case of interest.

Many thanks

Chris