The Diamond Tool Holder

Has anyone tried 1 of these if so how do you rate them.

John

Yes, I have one and I think that it is very good, as long as you grind the tool properly. Actually it's not so much the grinding but honing a radius on the leading edge to prevent the sharp tip cracking off. I also don't like the supplied grinding jig and have made my own to better control the angles and allow a range of angles. When some current building work is done I could post some photos.

john.

I have used one since I started in the hobby in 2006. I rarely use anything else. When they released a left handed one, I bought it immediately. If I do use carbide insert tools for heavy, rapid metal removal, I finish with the Diamond tool. I have ground tool bits with various radii, for, e.g., loco wheel root radii. I can't recommend it highly enough. Apart from the annoying loose washed under the retaining cap screw, I find the sharpening jig fine.

If you use the "search" box at the head of the post, and use "tangential", and "diamond tool" as the search parameter you will find numerous threads and posts about this.

I too am using their toolholders and have used their Crobalt tool steel on cast iron, which worked well.

I'm not sure I'm getting the best possible finish and would be interested to hear/see how you hone the radius John H.

I use one for most of my machining 95% of the time; I am tempted to get a left hand version but cannot justify the expense for what I do. Was considering getting a piece of the Crobalt tool steel to try out, am going to Harrogate show tomorrow so will see what's available. I use a small hand diamond lap to take the front corner off the cutter creating a fine radius which I find gives a decent finish for most materials.

George

I also use a small diamond hone to put a small radius on the corner.

Me too - fantastic bit of kit.

The Eccentric Engineering design was developed by Des Burke in 1985, I do like them I have a bought one from Eccentric Engineering and a couple of shop made one's all equally good results with simple one facet sharpening using cheap HSS tooling, there many different shop made designs around on t'internet.

The original idea is quite old this advert for one type dates from circa 1879:

Paul

I have been using one for about 18months since I have had my lathe. They are a great bit of kit I would recommend the Diamond Tool Holder to everyone.

Barry

Thanks to everyone for your input.

John