power feed cut off tool

[Tenn]

As I'm still learning all the features and benefits of power feed on the cross slide I recently discovered that power feeding the cut off tool at 0.001" per revolution does an absolutely beautiful job of making perfect chips with the cut off tool with less tool breakage than from this somewhat of a jerk on the hand feed Thus far I haven't tried faster feeds but I have been successful with slightly faster RPM's.

Any of you old timers have any input on feed rates for the cut off tool ?

 

[8ntsane]

You could most likely feed faster. There is a few things that can change things with different materials, coolant or not. Feeding too slow can build up alot of heat, and when that happens there is a good chance of it grabbing,and snap!

Soft materials like aluminum can usually take more feed rate, steel may want/ need slower. Best to keep an eye on how much heat your generating when parting off. Parting under power produces a smoother cut, but to slow will cause heat, that can cause problems to.

 

[GK1918]

I dont know Tenn, parting is scary I was taught it was like getting a needle, the more you look at it
the more it hurts. The good nurse stabs you before you know what happened. So the old man said
oil and go for it and dont look back in time there will be a feel for it. I know in brass just crank it.
I think a fast consistant hand feed is the trick. Im probably an old chicken, me to power feed id start
it and hide under the bench. (flat belts will slip) sam

 

[swatson144]

Using navy machinery and tooling I always power fed. Using my own now I seldom power feed for parting. Several reasons and not lack of concern. The Navy machines were very robust and catching a cutofff tool wasn't even noticed by the machine. The quality of the tooling was much better than mine. That was professionally and now I'm a hobbyist. It is easier to regrind a broken parting tool on a 18" grinder than an 8".

Material I know is bad about work hardening either gets the portaband or power feed, in which case I set it up perfectly and throw the lever, use coolant, and see how it goes. Usually it goes well sometimes not so well. It's part of a less than industrial machine I think.

Steve

 

[rock_breaker]

I have had the same experiences and dislike using the cutoff tool but using a square to be sure of the angle between the tool and work has sure improved my sucess rate. I do use the power feed more now also.

Ray