How do I cut o-ring grooves

[macardoso]

This thread has (re)taught me how expensive being a carbide shop is! $125 for an insert that I'll probably overfeed and destroy the first time I use it, then only use for 1 hole is crazy. I'll stick to grinding and burning HSS thank you very much!

I should have been more clear. The boring bar and clamping hardware would probably be $100. The inserts are around $15 each. Really nice quality tools. I've used their grooving line since changing inserts repeats the tip position and length within a tenth or two. Very impressive.

I purchased these tools for a paid CNC job where not needing to worry about offsets or grinding tools in the middle off the job was valuable to me.

 

[srfallsallot]

If your assembly creates an issue with the o-ring staying in place consider a 1/2 dovetail groove

 

[Grasshopper]

I ended up cutting a square groove the same dimension as the factory groove, 2mm wide x 1mm deep. The guy sold out in one day and sent me 20 more to turn today. If he only knew how inexperienced I am he'd pay a real machinist to do this. LOL. He is a friend so I thought I'd help him supplement his SS check. Beside, it's fun and I need all the experience I can get.

 

[Jimsehr]

I've got a drawer full of various HSS tools both ground by me and inherited. There are so many different sizes of O-ring grooves that more often than not I have to grind one because none of the half dozen or so groove cutters I've already ground are the right size. I can't imagine buying a new carbide tool every time every time I needed to set an O-ring. Even if I didn't mind spending the money (which I do) the wait for shipping in the middle of a project would annoy the crap out of me. (and I can't find toilet paper)

I have often used a narrow tool to cut a wider groove. Easy to use a .100 wide tool to cut a .200 wide groove.
Jim Sehr