Parting problems are a recurring issue; you've happened to hit a
temporary lull :-)
Make sure the tool is truly vertical - my HF holder needed some
shimming to properly hold a "T" blade. It also has to be
perpendicular to the work, & has to stay that way - my HF QC post
tries to rotate around the mounting bolt.
The tool needs to be honed sharp and exactly on center. When
they're low, they cut beautifully, right up until the work climbs the
tool! Also, a carriage lock helps; using the half-nuts on the
leadscrew is not really solid enough. Low speed helps; you want a
continuous chip, so slow, steady feed & low spindle speed.
Rear parting lets the tool stay mounted (I swear they remount at
different heights due to fat air molecules) speeding up work and lets
the tool be forced away from the work, instead of into it when it
tries to "grab."
Roy
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "wdannhardt <wdannhardt@y...>"
<wdannhardt@y...> wrote:
I recently purchased a 7 x 12 mini lathe, and so far it has been
wonderful, I am very satisfied. I purchased a quick change tool
holder from HF, and with a modification to the compound, now have
easy tool height adjustment. The only tool I have problems with is
the cut off tool.
I am using a .062" x .5" HSS tool, cutting brass and Aluminum. I
always seem to get terrible chatter. I made sure the saddle, cross
slide and compound are very tight to the ways, but it still
happens.
Does anyone have any suggestions to make this better? I've not
heard
of anyone else complain about this, so I think it must be something
I
am doing.
Thanks for your help,
WD
