Internal Face Grooving Tool

[Tekno_Cowboy]

I'm looking for a fairly inexpensive internal face grooving tool, with a 5/8 or smaller shank. Anyone know where I can find one? I've been browsing MSC and Enco for a week with pretty much no luck, aside from a $400+ tool that's too big for my toolholders.

 

[darkzero]

nm then

 

[Mirage_Man]

Check Kaiser Tool (Thinbit). They may have what you're after.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

Thanks Mirage_Man, What I'm basically looking for is a smaller version of this.

Got any ideas where I might find one?

 

[darkzero]

Oh...

 

[Energie]

Perhaps with a homemade tool:

Round HSS steel, 10 mm:

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

I suppose I could use a homemade tool, but I prefer indexable, and I'm not quite ready to give up on that yet.

I ordered the 1/2" version of the 2-in-1 tool you linked me to. It should get the job done for some internal facing.

 

[darkzero]

I ordered the 1/2" version of the 2-in-1 tool you linked me to. It should get the job done for some internal facing.

I was always curious about that one, please let us know how well it works. I was just looking at it & I wonder where replacement inserts can be purchased from?

 

[Rothrandir]

I've got one of these and am plenty satisfied with it. Definitely spring for carbide shank on a tool like this if you can...

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

The problem I saw with that tool is that it wouldn't get deep enough for mag heatsinks. I'm thinking a solid carbide tool might be my best bet for the mag sinks. I just need to find someplace that can grind one for me.

 

[wquiles]

Last time I needed one I "made" one out of a hex key. It was slow, and there was chatter, but it worked well:

Will

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

I tried that, but the china-made hex key I used just wasn't up to par for cutting Al.

 

[65535]

Might be able to use a drill bit if you grind off some of the right areas. Just go slow to not anneal it.

 

[precisionworks]

use a drill bit

If you start with slightly oversized W-1 round stock, which grinds easily, you can make one in ten minutes. Add another minute or two to heat red & quench & the tool is done. Small diameter W-1, in 36" lengths, is cheap even from McMaster :crackup:

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

I'll have to give that a try, but my biggest problem is that I only have a dremel for grinding. I've kept my tooling to carbide to avoid getting a grinder.

 

[wquiles]

... to avoid getting a grinder.

Like the Borg said "RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!" :devil:

 

[darkzero]

I'll have to give that a try, but my biggest problem is that I only have a dremel for grinding. I've kept my tooling to carbide to avoid getting a grinder.

Well here's your excuse to buy one. "You can never have too many tools"! When I was looking to buy a bench grinder, with my bad habit, I wanted to get the best & overkill for my needs. I just ended up getting a 6" Craftsman for $50 on sale. It's served me well over the years & never had a problem with it.

You can pick one up from Harbor Freight for $35-$40. You'd probably spend more than that on your next indexable cutter. We had a cheap one at the shop that we used & abused everyday for years so I'm sure anyone you pick up will last you a very long time. You can even find some nice used ones on Craigslist or Recycler for dirt cheap.

Besides it feels great grinding a tool that works knowing that you made it yourself. The first bits that I made out of some water hardned drill rod looked great, worked for what I needed, & didn't last too long (:ohgeez:) but it was fun & a good learning experience.

I couldn't find anything small enough to bore the business end so I had to make a bit to use. (Please don't ask what it is, no it wasn't for me, if it's unappropiate I will remove it. :o)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d105/zero_four/CPF/Misc/Img_1422.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d105/zero_four/CPF/Misc/Img_1429.jpg

 

[precisionworks]

I just ended up getting a 6" Craftsman for $50 on sale.

+1

$50-$60 will buy a decent grinder. I have a Ryobi 8" bench grinder, Model BGH827, sold at Home Depot for $65. Toss the 8" rocks that come with the grinder & buy decent quality 6" rocks in medium grit and in fine grit. Camel (cgwheels.com) is a good brand that doesn't cost a lot.

I also have a Jet 8" bench grinder, Model JBG-8A, that was $60 on eBay. It is much nicer than the Ryobi, more heavily built, but again you have to toss the 8" rocks & replace with a pair of 6". If you leave the 8" wheels on either the Ryobi or the Jet, it takes half a day for the motor to get up to speed, but the 6" wheels go to full speed in an instant. There's a JBG-8A on eBay right now, Item #400072407676.

 

[darkzero]

...buy decent quality 6" rocks in medium grit and in fine grit. Camel (cgwheels.com) is a good brand that doesn't cost a lot.

I've never been happy with the wheels that came on my grinder. Never thought there were brands "to get". Any particular ones you recommend & where can I purchase them? Any recommendations on some flap wheels?

Thanks

 

[precisionworks]

The gold standard in toolroom wheels in the Norton 32A. Almost as good, and the one I used to buy, is the 38A. About $40 per wheel in 6" diameter, 1" wide :eek:

A few years ago I ran across Camel Premium wheels (not the regular grey ones). Made in Israel, very high quality, low priced. Both the white and the pink wheels work well, and the blue is worth looking at. About $15 per wheel from Discount Tools:

http://www.discount-tools.com/catalogs/gen/340.pdf

IMO, the Camel Premium wheels last as long & grind as well as the 38A Norton. Whichever wheel you buy, be sure to get a diamond dresser to keep the face flat and clean. About $15 on eBay & at most suppliers:

http://cgi.ebay.com/rle-GRINDING-WH...ONOMICAL!_W0QQitemZ390087118189QQcmdZViewItem