Mogas makes something.

[Mogas]

Hello Mad Modders!
I have learned a lot from this forum and thought I would contribute something!
Sorry if it is old hat to you chaps but I thought it may be of use to another newbie like myself.
Up until recently I have been using ordinary tool steel and grinding various tips as required for the jobs to be done on my lathe.
I decided to step it up a notch and go carbide. Shopping around I soon found out that the tips and tool holders are rather pricey.
A bit of surfing cyber space uncovered this: http://bedair.org/Carbide/tool.html
My thanks to Steve Bedair whom I have never met or spoken to for the idea.
So I decided to have a go at making my own set of tool holders.
Machine:
A 3in1 of Chinese origin with a decent collet holder, chuck and some end mills, 4 and 14mm.
A 120mm rotary table.
Materials:
A scrap length of 16mm square bar, ordinary mild steel I think, milled down to 12 x 16mm in order to fit into my toolpost.
A few M3 countersunk machine screws.
The all important carbide tips, this type can be rotated and flipped over a total of 6 times each so should see me through to retirement before they are completely worn out!
The process was documented with photos, sorry, some were taken at night and are a little dark.
Here goes.

[Mogas]

After milling the 16mm stock down to 12mm, blue and trace out the carbide tip.

[Mogas]

I carefully leveled the work piece (I know the bubble is not centered, but it corresponds to the level of the bed!) Note to self: I must level my bench some time 

[Mogas]

The fun part!
Mill, rotate mill some more.
These were taken at night so apologies for the picture quality.

[Mogas]

Another one.

[Mogas]

Center punch the holes.

[Mogas]

Tap to M3
I used the drill chuck with a center in it to keep that little tap straight.

[Mogas]

Result!
Just a note: When I tried the tool, I found that there was not enough relief angle on the carbide tip when offered up to the job. The M3 screw was slackened off and a .4mm shim made out of old crate strapping inserted, giving just the right relief.
A little cleaning up with a file and the end result is a sturdy set of tool holders.
Over all, a very satisfying exercise! 

[Brass_Machine]

Good job Mogas.

I am going to attempt this in the not too distant future. Thanks!

Eric

[sbwhart]

Nice one  I'm shure this will be usful to the chaps.

Stew

[Bernd]

Nice Mogas.

Another option would be to grind the clearence angle on the side of the carbide tool with a green wheel or diamond wheel. You'll then only have 3 useful position to use instead of 6. It'll will also eliminate the use of a shim.

Regards,
Bernd

[jemglen]

Enlightening and well documented, thank you 

Jerry

[Darren]

Nicely done mogas, see you took a little more effort than I did. 

What size tips are you using?

[Mogas]

Nicely done mogas, see you took a little more effort than I did. 

What size tips are you using?

Sorry, I don't even know what size they are  , 16mmx16mmx16mm I guess about 09 judging by your thread. My tooling supplier lets me into the Aladin's cave and I just picked up off the shelf what looked likely to work.
BTW, I have not given them a full performance test as you did  Darren but I am sure they are up to it, not sure about my machine though!
Thank you all for the kind words.
My next project will be a home made parting tool holder, I will be posting some pictures and seeking advice!

[Darren]

I'm certainly no expert but it sounds like the same size as I used, 09,