Recommendations for slicing tool steel sockets

S

speed01rcr

Plastic

Joined

Apr 4, 2015

• Dec 10, 2017

• #1

I am trying to slice a few tool sockets for a job that requires only a thin slice of the socket which is over 1" hex size. I thought to use something like a wet chop saw, but not sure if that will give a clean and square cut...

Any thoughts?

 

Gordon Heaton

Titanium

Joined

Feb 19, 2007

Location

St. George, Utah

• Dec 10, 2017

• #2

I turn them often with carbide inserts. If you have a carbide parting tool that should be easy. They're not super hard.

 

R

randyc

Stainless

Joined

Aug 18, 2003

Location

Eureka, CA, USA

• Dec 10, 2017

• #3

Gordon Heaton said:

I turn them often with carbide inserts. If you have a carbide parting tool that should be easy. They're not super hard.

Click to expand...

Same here.

 

gbent

Diamond

Joined

Mar 14, 2005

Location

Kansas

• Dec 10, 2017

• #4

Put them in the lathe and use a parting tool. Even HSS will work on impact sockets, if its chromed you will need to remove the chrome first.

 

wheels17

Stainless

Joined

May 10, 2012

Location

Pittsford, NY

• Dec 10, 2017

• #5

I needed a short fat socket for something or the other. I went to the used tool store, picked up a used impact socket for a quarter and parted it off in a jiffy using HSS in a Southbend 10K. They're really soft. gbent is right about the chrome.

 

C

CarbideBob

Diamond

Joined

Jan 14, 2007

Location

Flushing/Flint, Michigan

• Dec 11, 2017

• #6

Let me think...
Saw, Turn, Drill, Mill, Grind, Lap......
Which was top on your list and what equipment do you have?
How square does it need to be and how tight on tolerance?
For sure I turn them often as a free lathe is available but a chop saw seems like a good solution.
Bob

 

J

jrmach

Titanium

Joined

Jun 9, 2012

Location

Boise,Idaho USA

• Dec 11, 2017

• #7

sockets I have are rather tough steel,,I'd opt for chop saw


BTW,still looking for where the OP implied "Impact " sockets ??

 

Lanso

Cast Iron

Joined

Mar 16, 2013

Location

Cerritos, CA

• Dec 11, 2017

• #8

I’ve sawn, parted or turned many sockets and never found one to be trouble

 

S

strokersix

Hot Rolled

Joined

Jul 25, 2009

Location

NW Illlinois USA

• Dec 11, 2017

• #9

My observation has been that sockets are case hardened on the business end for strength and durability. Removing the case depth makes the socket less robust. Maybe this matters to you or maybe not.

 

eKretz

Diamond; Mod Squad

Joined

Mar 27, 2005

Location

Northwest Indiana, USA

• Dec 11, 2017

• #10

A chop saw will surely detemper (distemper? Grrrrr ) the steel. I'd stick to the parting tool. Then again, water cooling the chop saw as mentioned in the O.P. might be okay.

 

I

i_r_machinist

Titanium

Joined

Apr 12, 2007

Location

Dublin Texas

• Dec 11, 2017

• #11

Iscar part off tool running about 250 rpms. I do it all the time.
have fun
i_r_

 

gbent

Diamond

Joined

Mar 14, 2005

Location

Kansas

• Dec 11, 2017

• #12

eKretz said:

A chop saw will surely detemper (distemper? Grrrrr ) the steel. I'd stick to the parting tool. Then again, water cooling the chop saw as mentioned in the O.P. might be okay.

Click to expand...

Tempering is a softening process, so a chop saw would further temper the socket. Detempering would be the same as hardening, wouldn't it?

 

eKretz

Diamond; Mod Squad

Joined

Mar 27, 2005

Location

Northwest Indiana, USA

• Dec 11, 2017

• #13

*forehead slap* yup, not thinking today.

 

A

azmachining

Cast Iron

Joined

Dec 26, 2014

Location

Central Valley, AZ

• Dec 11, 2017

• #14

Yeah you could part it on the lathe, but as far as chop saws go I wouldn't recommend a cold saw. You should use a abrasive chop saw wheel.