Smithy 1220 XL - 1/2" indexable tool recommendations

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thoraxe
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2022 5:36 pm

Smithy 1220 XL - 1/2" indexable tool recommendations

Post by thoraxe »

The holder I have right now seems limited to 1/2" shanks. I'm not ready (budget) to buy a different holder (eg: QC) yet.

Amazon has an amazing selection of (probably garbage) indexed tools and tips. Smithy appears to be out of stock on their own inserts:
https://smithy.com/products/tin-coated- ... 4360013889

The Grizzly G5639 looks almost identical to the Smithy holder set:
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzl ... -3-8/g5639

I do have several more triangle inserts that all appear to be unused. Eventually they'll be done-zo and will need replacing. I suppose I could order random Amazon inserts and see if they fit in the Smithy holders I have, but I'd like to get something "better" and get a complete set (I am missing some orientations). Grizzly's insert looks like it should fit the Smithy kit:
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzl ... 1.51/g6707

I assume that these inserts are relatively standard. Harold recommended a parallelogram insert, so that would mean a different tool/holder than the triangle ones I have now. I took a quick spin in the lathe forum to see if there were strong recommendations, but I did not find any definitive link or supplier mention. I am happy to buy a proper indexable set from anywhere. I had poked around on the McMaster Carr site but was stymied by the sheer number of options and the high prices for even individual holders. I have a guess they're not the best choice of supplier for the casual home machinist.

There's something like this which includes parallelogram holders as well as a few other holders/tools that I do not currently have:
https://amzn.to/3BwJjoP

It does looks very similar to the Grizzly kit but for $50 less:
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzl ... 1-2/t10294
Last edited by thoraxe on Mon Sep 12, 2022 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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GlennW
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Re: Smithy 1220 XL - 1/2" indexable tool recommendations

Post by GlennW »

The Amazon set appears to use standard inserts, which is good, since there are usually some good deals on inserts on eBay. Search CCMT 21.51 ad see.

From right to left: WNMG, VCMT, CCMT, CCMT, VCMT. I'd have to look up the threading tool insert, and the parting tool insert I'm not sure about either.

The actual size, you would have to figure out if you get them. That would be done by measuring the "IC". ("inscribed circle")

"D" in the image below would be an example of how to measure the inscribed circle in order to get the correct size insert.
figure2_0.png
figure2_0.png (14.93 KiB) Viewed 4020 times
As always, there is more to it!
Glenn

Operating machines is perfectly safe......until you forget how dangerous it really is!
curtis cutter
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Location: Curtis, WA

Re: Smithy 1220 XL - 1/2" indexable tool recommendations

Post by curtis cutter »

Even if I stretch my imagination as far as possible I would never consider myself "knowledgeable" on machining but 1/2" tooling seems pretty heavy for this machine.
But.... I am here to learn.
Gregg
Just let go of it, it will eventually unplug itself.
TLutman
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2022 6:18 pm
Location: Central Ohio

Re: Smithy 1220 XL - 1/2" indexable tool recommendations

Post by TLutman »

I wouldn’t say 1/2” tooling is too large at all. Rigidity is the key to making these combos work, along with sharp cutting edges.
I have a Midas 1220xl, albeit newer than yours, and there is a learning curve. Making sure all the gibs are adjusted, the machine bolted to a solid surface and leveled, locking the inactive axis when needed, setting tools on center, lubrication, speeds/feeds, workholding.. it all is critical to being able to accomplish what you are trying to do.
thoraxe
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2022 5:36 pm

Re: Smithy 1220 XL - 1/2" indexable tool recommendations

Post by thoraxe »

GlennW wrote: Mon Sep 12, 2022 9:20 am The Amazon set appears to use standard inserts, which is good, since there are usually some good deals on inserts on eBay. Search CCMT 21.51 ad see.

From right to left: WNMG, VCMT, CCMT, CCMT, VCMT. I'd have to look up the threading tool insert, and the parting tool insert I'm not sure about either.

The actual size, you would have to figure out if you get them. That would be done by measuring the "IC". ("inscribed circle")

"D" in the image below would be an example of how to measure the inscribed circle in order to get the correct size insert.

figure2_0.png

As always, there is more to it!
Fixed the link in the first post for the Grizzly kit. The Grizzly 1/2" shank kit uses DCMT whereas the Amazon 1/2" shank kit uses CCMT.

🤷‍♂️
TLutman
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2022 6:18 pm
Location: Central Ohio

Re: Smithy 1220 XL - 1/2" indexable tool recommendations

Post by TLutman »

Here is a link that will help with the designations on inserts
http://www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-insert-d.htm
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