It is a very desirable tool on small work, since it may be used on both the stem of the work, and on the radial face, which saves the trouble of having to put in a front tool to turn the stem, and a separate tool for the radial face.
Fig. 958.
In cutting down a radial face with this tool, it is best (especially if much metal is to be cut off), if the face of the metal is hard, to carry the cut from the circumference to the centre, as shown in the plan view in [Fig. 958], in which a is the cutting edge of the tool, b a collar on a piece of work, c the depth of the cut, and d a hard skin surface. Thus the point of the tool cuts beneath the hard surface, which breaks away without requiring to be actually cut.
Fig. 959.
[Fig. 959] represents a cutting off or parting tool for wrought iron, its feed being directly into the metal, as denoted by the arrow. This tool should be set exactly level with the work centre when it is desired to completely sever the work. When, however, it is used to merely cut a groove, it may be set slightly above the centre.