Shop Talk 19: Parting Tools

I'm often asked to talk about parting tools and the different types. This was my attempt at the discussion but I feel like I missed something. Perhaps this is a better subject for me during an actual job at hand.
There are two basic types of parting tool, high speed, and carbide, or carbide insert. Carbide inserts are great for production, and everyday use in the working shop. They have great chip formation and can run at higher speeds. However that can pose problems on smaller or less rigid lathes.
High speed steel would be my first pick, especially for home and hobby use. They can be easily re-sharpened and will last for years. You can have an assortment of blades each with a different grind on the end. They have less tool pressure and can run at low speeds.
One key point to remember, if your having chatter problems, often times reducing the RPM, and feeding in harder it will reduce or eliminate the chatter. Always make sure you have a good sharp tool, or a good insert that isn't burned up, and your tip is on center or just slightly above.
Hopefully my viewers will get something out of the video, and I'll be sure to touch on this subject as it arises later.

[fonzzy]

Thanks for the videos. My Dad passed away 8 months ago and was a tool maker by trade for 37 years. We had 43 good years together and I always wanted to learn from him. I now have a lathe and a Bridgeport and am determined to learn. Its cool using my Dads mics and calipers when working out in the shop. Your videos are great. Keep up the good work.

[DavidHerscher]

The thing i like most about Abom is aside from the lifetime worth of knowledge and wisdom he is willing to share, you can just tell he loves what he does. Dude gets genuinely excited talking about tools and machining. That enthusiasm and humble love of the work is, imho, what separates those who are good from those who are great at what they do.

[Treesusb]

Great video. I had some bad luck so I punched in high speed steel parting and my dude popped up. By the end of watching your video I was already at my lathe with the couple adjustments like stick out and lathe speed. World of difference and another piece of the machinist puzzle. Thanks

[jonpardue]

Adam what has taken 10 years to learn by trial and error, you have shared in minutes... then you moved me ahead another 10 years just explaining the feel and sound and color. I don't comment much, but I do make production parts from brass that are part of how I make a living. Thank you, you and Mr. Pete have taught me so much about machining.

[dessilverson]

Hi Adam.
I seem to recall many years ago at school the parting tool was run upside down at the back. Presume to try to keep the chips from jamming up and stop them flying. Had to use shims to center the tools as well !!!!

[bwolfe]

Thanks for the video, the basic informational ones may not be a favorite of every viewer, but for someone trying to learn I have to say I appreciate the effort.

[wither]

I love the projects, dont get me wrong, but shop talk where all your knowledge about stuff comes out directly = gems of knowledge. I love hearing the wisdom of someone whos been at it forever, because you hear about the common pitfalls and the fixes, that one might only learn if they were lucky enough to work in a shop. On another note, hope your contractor problems got sorted, I'd do it for you at cost if I were in the area. Anyways, love the vids. Thanks Adam !!!!

[robertmccracken]

Thanks Adam, great video. Good tips for us home shop guys. Thank you so much for all the great content you put out for us.

[buckhanan]

Stopped in middle of your video to order the tool height gage as that has been one of my biggest challenges, hopefully it will become routine. Thank you for the time you spend passing on your knowledge.

[htc]

Thanks Adam, this is a really useful video for we hobbyists with petite machines. I've read lots on parting theory and learned to work within the limitations of my small machines, but to have one of your long-form videos is really handy, because there's something really informative about the way you say whatever's on your mind about a machining topic that's really informative, and provides a whole lot of subtle details I haven't found anywhere else.
Love your work, good sir.

[keldsor]

Hi Adam !
That's the kind of videos I like !
Instructional and very usefull !

Thx for sharing !

[buddynewman]

Thanks for all of your good advice. I've recently begun hobby machine work with an old Atlas 10 inch lathe and a small Benchmaster mill (made back in the 50/60's in Los Angeles of all places) and I really benefit from your videos. Thank you for your time and effort.

[dennisleadbetter]

Hi Adam, You have shown that, while you can learn a great deal from a book, there is a great deal more that only comes from experience. Knowing your machine, the tool and the material and how it performs varies so much. The old rule of reduce the speed and increase the feed and vice versa is spot on and applies not only to parting but any cutting operation and it's a matter of finding that sweet spot.
Aluminium is a material that I find needs lubricant particularly in parting or milling slots because of the rapid heat build up that can occur running dry and potential to weld to the tool, sometimes with devastating results. I've seem some disasters from CNC milling centres where quite large tooling has been shattered and welded into the workpiece - an expensive outcome.
Keep up the great work.

[dlwilliams]

What a chunk of great information in that video! I'm just getting started in machining and that was invaluable. Thanks!
Dan

[hootinouts]

Many thanks for doing this video Adam. I remember always struggling with chatter when parting in the lathe when I started out in tool and die way back in the late 1970's. I left the trade to go into tool design and then machine design. Finally, I now have my own 9 inch Southbend lathe at home and once again am struggling with parting tool chatter.

[richc]

Thank you for this video. I was dreading to try parting because of past experiences. I followed your advice and parted 3 inch aluminum tube with no problem. I ended up with the thinnest band of aluminum you could imagine . I keep it as a trophy.

[TimothyGack]

Thanks Adam. You've answered a number of questions that I've been unsure about. As always ... terrific content!

[abcdefg]

A very informative tutorial, I really liked the centre height gauge, better than using a 6" rule in front of the tool to get centre.Thanks for posting!

[dheujsnrhfydhehehshshhdggsd]

Just rewatched this years later. Really helped me with some basics

[brosselot]

Great information. Thanks for sharing. I always learn something from your videos. Great job Adam.