1. Cutting Tools

2. The cutting tool is held in contact with the revolving work to remove material.

3. Types of cutting tools:

4. Square cutting tool blanks:
These tools come as blanks that you grind to the style/shape of cutter that you need.
In most applications you will be using a single point cutting tool made of high speed steel (HSS).
The blanks come in various sizes and lengths, you choose the one best suited to the task you are doing.

6. Brazed tip single-point cutting tools:
These are made by brazing a carbide cutting tip onto a shank made from less costly material.
Many different tip shapes are available
They can be purchased in both right-hand and left-hand configurations

8. Indexable Insert Cutting tools:
Brazed tip cutting tools are being replaced by mechanically clamped indexable insert cutting tools.
The inserts are manufactured in a number of shapes and sizes.

9. Indexable inserts clamp to special tool holders.
As an edge dulls, the next edge is rotated into position until all edges are dulled.
They are usually discarded after use.

12. To get the best performance, the bit must have a keen, properly shaped cutting edge.
The shape depends on the type of work, roughing or finishing and on the material being machined.
Most cutter bits are ground to cut in only one direction.

13. The exception is the round nose tool, which can cut in either direction.

14. Parting Tools:
Parting is the operation of cutting off material after it has been machined.
Like turning tools, Parting tools come in both HSS blanks and carbide inserts.

15. Parting operations are done at about 1/3 the spindle speed of turning operations.
When parting apply ample amounts of cutting fluid.
When possible keep the work close to the chuck and, if necessary use an offset toolholder.

17. Cutting grooves with a parting tool:
Grooves of various widths can be machined with a parting tool.
The tool is only turned into the material as far as the required groove.

18. Right hand cutting tools are ground to cut from right to left.
(if you hold your right hand palm down in front of you it will cut in the direction your thumb is pointing)

19. Left hand cutting tools are ground to cut from left to right.
(if you hold your left hand palm down in front of you it will cut in the direction your thumb is pointing)

20. Roughing tools:
Deep cuts made to remove considerable amounts of material from a workpiece are called roughing cuts.
Roughing tools have a tool shape that consists of a straight cutting edge with a small rounded nose.
This shape permits deep cuts at heave feeds.

22. Finishing Tools:
The nose of a finishing tool is more rounded than the nose of the roughing tool.
If honed after grinding, a finishing tool will produce a smooth finish on the workpiece.
A light cut and a fine feed must be used.

23. Like a roughing tool, finishing tools are made in both right-hand and left-hand models.

24. Facing Tools:
The facing tool is ground to prevent interference with the tailstock center.
The tool point is set at a slight angle to the work face with the point leading slightly.

26. Round nose tool:
A round nose tool is ground flat on the face (without back or side rake) to permit cutting in either direction.

27. The square cutter bit body is inserted in a lathe toolholder.

28. Toolholders are made in straight, right-hand and left hand models.
To tell the difference between right and left hand toolholders, hold the head of the tool in your hand and note the direction the shank points. A right hand holder points to the right and a left hand holder points to the left.

29. Pillar single tool post

30. A Turret holder may also be used.
Turret holders typically hold four cutter bits.
A bit can be changed by loosening the lock (handle) and rotating the turret until the new cutter is in position, then locking it in place.

31. Quick change tool post

32. Grinding and sharpening cutting tools:
Grinding HSS Tools (This Old Tony) 33:57
TOOL BIT GRINDING (tubalcain) 10:45
Toolbit Development (oxtools) 37:42
A Brief Chat about Carbide Tooling (This Old Tony) 28:08