Models for grinding HSS Lathe Tools

Looking good there.
Yes, clockwise
 
finsruskw said:
Standard being clock wise?
Will get around to it tomorrow hopefully
I only have 1 HSS blank though, hope I don't screw it up?
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I just think of it as forward and reverse, but yes, clockwise. :)

If you mess up you can usually adjust the grind a bit. Or grind it down and try again. I suggest some cheap HSS on ebay for general use. It's decent for practice and general use. I save my nicer blanks for my most common tools or tough material. Do a test run on keystock too. It's great for getting practice
 
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Been using plain old hot roll for the samples.
So far, so good!
 
I have the Sears version of the grinder David has, complete with 1/3HP motor. It is on the weak side if you use Aluminum Oxide belts but if you commit to using ceramic belts, that thing will grind HSS tool bits. I know because I tried it and it worked fine. I also used a wax stick lubricant and that probably helped but it was able to grind a 10% cobalt HSS tool bit with no problem. If you've ground cobalt before then you know its a bit on the hard side, and 10% gets pretty hard. The ceramic belt went right through it.
 
This is the tool bit in my large boring bar. Sorry for the poor picture.

IMG_3833.JPG

I did not grind this tool bit. All I have done is hone it. It came with the lathe and was in the boring bar. It cuts like a dream. It is ground pretty much like a RH tool bit with a pretty good nose radius. In use it cuts on the end of the tool bit. Not the side.

I have been wondering why it cuts so good. Any ideas on why it works so well?

I have been thinking about grinding a LH tool bit with similar angles to try out for normal turning towards the headstock.
 
The tool is cutting with the side cutting edge that is pointing slightly backwards. Imagine if you turned your square tool towards the tailstock so that the side cutting edge contacts the work. As you pulled the tool towards the chuck, the side cutting edge does all the cutting and trust me; the finish when a tool is used like this is superb. So, I'm not surprised the tool cuts but because the end of the tool will bottom before the cutting tool will, this can only be used in a through bore.
 
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