FILENAMES: spechold.jpg DESCRIPTION: This is a photo of a special parting tool. Posted by John Stevenson. John provided the following description: ================================================================= Whilst toolholders and tool posts are being discussed I promised a shot of the parting tool I made but didn't get round to posting it. well I've just posted a photo on the drop box [ site address in Fitch's a sig line above ] called Spechold.jpg [ short for special holders ] The parting tool is there with a spare blade. There is a parting tool holder that takes a normal insert. A screwcutting tool holder that takes a circular form tool and one that takes an insert from a coventry die head. I actually make the parting tool blades up from lengths of HSS planer blades off big commercial planers. I am given these worn out from the tool and cutter grinders in either 36" or 48" lengths. I cut then with an abrasive wheel into 6" lengths and then on a simple jig with one side at 7 degrees and one at 15 degrees I first of all grind the top and bottom of the blade at 15 degrees to form a dovetail that just slides into the toolholder. Then I grind the outside face at 7 degrees for clearance. This actually gives me 3 1/2 degrees as the back face of the holder is machines at 3 1/2 degrees as well. I then cut these in two to make 2 blades.