Author Topic: Left hand lathe tools. (Read 9715 times)

DaveH · « **on:** March 20, 2011, 12:56:44 PM »

Hi

After visiting a friend who thought he hadn't a use for LH lathe tools.

I thought I would post this.
LH lathe tools can be used for normal turning and facing

Just a little more care is needed in setting up the tool. After all we need to cut with the "pointy bit".

Normal cutting

Facing

DaveH

Bogstandard · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2011, 04:08:52 PM »

A good tip there Dave, there must be lots of people who have unused LH tools because they never do any of the jobs where they are used.

I must admit, I use that trick myself, especially for facing.

John

John Hill · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2011, 04:31:54 PM »

Actually, I never think of 'left' or 'right' handed tools, I just look at what I have and imagine how I could bring the cutting edge to bear on what I am trying to do.

bigmini · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2011, 06:07:37 PM »

Forgive my ignorance, but I've always used a left handed tool for facing. It seemed like the right thing to do. Should I not do that?

DaveH · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2011, 06:15:49 PM »

Hello bigmini,

Nothing to forgive.

I don't think there is any right or wrong in this case.

Do you change tools for facing?

DaveH

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2011, 03:24:24 AM »

Quote from: John Hill on March 20, 2011, 04:31:54 PM

Actually, I never think of 'left' or 'right' handed tools, I just look at what I have and imagine how I could bring the cutting edge to bear on what I am trying to do.

Yep!
I had to use a L/H tool here, as there just wasn't enough room to use my usual tool.....

David D

Bogstandard · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2011, 05:05:30 AM »

I think what causes confusion is that beginners to model engineering who get sets of tooling, automatically recognise the normal tools, right hand cutting, boring, parting etc, and the 'speciality' ones tend to become forgotten about, thinking that they will very rarely need to be used.

Most turning tools can or do have a secondary purpose in life, and if they can be set up with the correct feed angles to the face being turned, and the tool is rigidly mounted, then it can be used for things other than it's original designated 'named' purpose.

Those of us 'in the know' recognise this fact, a lot of beginners don't.

Bogs

bigmini · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:03:58 PM »

Quote from: DaveH on March 20, 2011, 06:15:49 PM

Hello bigmini,

Nothing to forgive.

I don't think there is any right or wrong in this case.

Do you change tools for facing?

DaveH

Actually, I do. I got a QCTP with my lathe from day one after seeing their virtues extolled by others.

Since it had three tool holders, I ground a right handed tool, a left handed tool for facing, and a 60deg threading tool.

It's very easy to swap them.

MadModder

News: