Internal splines on a manual shaper

[Garwood]

Is it normal to use a fixed tool (no clapper) cutting internal features like splines on a metal shaper?

 

[alphonso]

That's the way I've always done it.

 

[Spruewell]

Why wouldn’t you be able to use the clapper?

 

[Barbter]

So the tool drags back over the surface rather than lifts?

 

[atex57]

Why wouldn’t you be able to use the clapper?

If your tool point is far enough in front of the pivot point it simply lifts rather than cutting,
I hand feed so as to time the feed to the cut. If you turn the slide so it is horizontal the chips fall away rather than piling up.

Ed.

 

[Garwood]

So the tool drags back over the surface rather than lifts?

I guess that's at the core of my question. Does dragging the tool backwards wear it or chip it if the machine is tight and there's plenty of cutting oil?

 

[atex57]

I guess that's at the core of my question. Does dragging the tool backwards wear it or chip it if the machine is tight and there's plenty of cutting oil?

Doesn't bother for mine. One tool has cut over 100 int splines and still going. Gonna need a touchup pretty soon.

Ed.