How do I cut 6″ dia bar?

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by John Reese on 06/05/2019 03:30:17:

When I had a 1" lathe I parted as deep as I could then finished with a Sawzall. Now I have a 16" lathe and I am curious how deep I can part without sawing. I plan to use a lantern toolpost so I can keep cutting forces over the center of the cross slide. Previously I used an Aloris style parting tool and I didn't like the way the tool tilted left under load.

Getting back to the more current question: it depends on the type of parting tool blade you use. A rear inverted parting tool with carbide tip on a 16" lathe should be able to part 3" deep so you could cut 6" diameter. But HSS front mounted probably less. Only way to tell what your particular set up will do, on whatever particular material you choose, is to try it out.

One trick when parting deep like that is to run the blade in so far, then withdraw it and move the carriage say 10 thou along the bed and start again, thus creating extra clearance for the blade in that outer section. This can be done several times.

Edited By Hopper on 07/05/2019 05:55:29

[Author]

Posts