what tool for cutting a circlip groove??

[Mr. Science]

I am trying to cut some 4mm circlip grooves in a 5mm dia. stainless shaft (not sure of specifics - maybe it's 304 or something) but i'm pretty new to tooling and this is my first lathe - bought an expensive carbide set but the cutoff tool is WAYYYYY too wide - at around 2.5mm or so. I'm looking for something i can use to cut a 0.5mm groove (approx) - am i best off shaping my own HSS tooling for this purpose? or are there ready made tools for this? (can find a FEW possible candidates on amazon but not sure if i'm barking up the wrong tree) ... any suggestions?

 

[JimDawson]

For narrow grooves I normally grind a HSS bit for a one or two off project. Thinbit makes carbide tools and holders http://www.thinbit.com/ I'm sure there are others also.

 

[MarkM]

Yes you can make your own. May I suggest lots of rake on your tool and establish the rake before you thin it out. Keep the cutting part as short as you can with that small width. I have used a hack saw blade thinned out on a surface grinder. If you try that clamp the blade to the toolpost as rigid as you can.

 

[mikey]

You can also use a HSS P1 blade (1/16" wide) or a P2 (3/32" wide) for this. Amazon and many other suppliers carry these.

 

[Latinrascalrg1]

Ive used a hacksaw blade pinched between a cutting tool and the setscrew on a tool holder in the same way that a shim is set except for having just enough of the teeth surface exposed. Just remember to place it in the correct direction for the teeth to cut against the rotation of the stock.

 

[benmychree]

I have always ground a tool bit for that job, if one had a job in production, it would be worthwhile to buy a Thinbit. HSS is just the thing for your job, If you make a grooving bit gor each similar jib that comes along, sooner or later you have a selection of them to work with.

 

[Mr. Science]

yes if things go well i expect to be making a few hundred of these ... will have to try some different solutions out

 

[darkzero]

I've got these mini grooving & parting tools that would do the job. Made by Nickole Mini Systems, I like them a lot. The narrowest insert they make is .019"/.5mm. They're not cheap though, one insert costs $15. They last forever though (for me anyway) & each insert has 2 edges.

 

[FireFixer]

Just the other day I needed to cut a 1mm groove for an oring. I ground my own tool from a HHS blank. Worked perfectly.

 

[Mr. Science]

PS - can anyone recommend a good source for HSS blanks?? the ones on amazon seem a bit pricey at $15 USD a pop or so - or is that a deal? seems to me one could buy HSS bar stock for a lot less?