Shortening a tool bit.

Re: Shortening a tool bit.

Ruth in S.Cal

>Don, could the back end be ground?

Re: Shortening a tool bit.

Jim Pugh, Ohio

>Don, if you have a Dremel type tool, you can cut the tool bit with a cut off disc. Otherwise, use a v-shaped file and mark the corners all around the bit where you want to cut it. Put the bit very firmly into a vise with the notches just at the edge of the jaws and smack the outer end with a hammer. Should break off.

Re: Shortening a tool bit.

Randy Privett in IN.

>Don,

You can just take a bench grinder and score the outside edges all the way around the tool bit and like Jim said put it in a vise, clamping real close to where you ground it; hit it with a sharp blow, it should snap right off.

Randy

Re: Randy's method is how I've done it.

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--

>If I can't lay my hands on the die grind with a cutoff wheel, I have done as Randy suggested. Use the corner of your bench grinder wheel to score the bit, the deeper the better. Place a rag over the piece you're going to break off before hitting it. Even with the scoring there is a chance of shrapnel.

Re: Shortening a tool bit.

Don Henthorn

>Thanks to all.

I did try to break it off, but I have no vice. I clamped it to my work bench (solid core door) so the desired breaking point was just off the edge of a 1/4" steel bar, covered it with a towel and smacked it several good whacks and nothing happened. In my perpetual senior moment state I didn't even think about using the grinder to nick the corners. I'll give it a try in the morning. Al, I think it is going to work pretty nice. I did a very small and fairly thin bowl just to try it out and it appeared to work very good.

Ruth, I could grind it back as you suggested, but it would mean grinding 1 1/4" of the bit off. I was hoping to salvage the other half of the bit to make another tip.

Re: Shortening a tool bit.

Brad Vietje

>Don,

I have cut them off with a 4" angle grinder (body grinder) with a 1/8" thick wheel -- you lose a bit of good tool steel, but it will cut.

I'm assuming you are describing an Ellsworth-style hollowing tool -- disregard the rest if I'm incorrect. If you are new to hollow forms, I'd also advise a lot less than 1.25" long cutting bits. You can make a lot of hollow forms with 1/2" to 3/4" of cutting tip, and more can be dangerous, at least until you're really comfortable with using the tools. I'd strongly advise watching the videos by David Ellsworth or John Jordan to learn about tool use. Beginners to hollow forms can practice with the tools on the inside of a bowl to see how the tool works, and how catches happen and how to avoid them.

Safe spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: Shortening a tool bit.

Don Henthorn

>Thanks, Brad. I now have tool bits of three different lengths and have used them all. I am using a laser guided rig like Al Crandall built and it worked pretty good. I made a bowl today that came out ok for a first try. It is a little ridged in a few places on the inside, but I am encourged by the general look. Then, wouldn't you know, as I was parting it off it popped off and really got dinged on my rough floor. I have remounted it with the 1 1/8" opening on a jam chuck and the tail stock holding it on. I think I will have to use the 80grit gouge to redo the outside and then sand it to the fine finish I had before, )-: