Parallels for parting and grooving?

[mac.doogle]

Can you use old parallels for parting and grooving? I have a few laying around and it seemed like a good idea. But fishing with dynamite seemed like a good idea to someone also.

[BadDog]

I don't think that would be a good idea. Even if they are hardened, they will generally not be nearly hard enough to use for parting, and they won't have the alloy characteristics that keep the edge from softening in the cut and eroding (or breaking) away.

[mac.doogle]

Thanks that makes sense.

[stevec]

Mac. They are also dead straight on the sides (or should be).

[Richard_W]

I seen a parallel used for that in school and they just burned off the end. The guy that did it thought it was HSS with the printing on the side like HSS bits.

Richard W

[mac.doogle]

Richard thats what I have. I knew I would have do some work with the grinder. I sharpened one today and used it and it worked fine on cols rolled.

[Jose Rivera]

No side clearances, no go ... bad idea.
Not HHS either possibly.

[Mr Ron]

I don't believe parallels are made from HSS. Alloy tool steel, yes.

[Jose Rivera]

A parting tool tool, the thinner the better, as long as it will do the job.
I have some HHS of rectangular shape ( 1/4" X 1/2", or 1/8" X 1/4" and so on) This could be used as parting tools with the correct side and front clearances.
The problem here is that parting with a 1/8" or bigger bit cannot be done on a small lathe without causing lots of chatter.

I use these tool for parting, but ground with special shapes and for special purposes.