Fig. 974.
In [Fig. 974] is shown the spring tool which is employed to finish smoothly round corners or sweeps, which it will do to better advantage than any other slide rest tool, because it is capable of carrying a larger amount of cutting edge in simultaneous operation. This property is due to the shape of the tool, the bend or curve serving as a spring to enable the tool to bend rather than dig into the work.
This form of tool is sometimes objected to on the ground that it does not turn true, but this is not the case if the tool is properly formed and placed at the correct height with relation to the work. In the first place the top face should, even on wrought iron, have but very little top rake, and indeed none at all if held far out from the tool post, while for brass, negative top rake may be employed to advantage. The height of the cutting edge b should be level with the top of the tool steel as denoted by the dotted line in the figure, and in no case should it stand above that level. The cutting edge should be placed about level with the horizontal centre of the work, but in no case above it. It is from this error that the tool is frequently condemned, because if placed above, the broad cutting edge causes the tool to spring slightly and dig into the metal, whereas when placed at the middle of the height of the work the spring will not have that effect, as already explained when referring to front tools. Furthermore, the spring of the tool (from inequalities in the texture or from seams in the metal) will be in a line so nearly coincident with the work surface that the latter will be practically true, and from the smoothness and the evenness of the curve this tool will produce a much better work than any other tool, unless indeed the curve be of a very small radius, as, say, about 1⁄4 inch only, in which case a hand tool such as shown in [Fig. 1292] may be employed; spring tools are intended to finish only, and not to rough out the work.
The curves, as b in [Fig. 974] for a round corner and c for a bead, should be carefully and smoothly finished to the required curve and the top face only ground to sharpen the tool, so as to maintain the curve as nearly as possible; but if the curve is a very large one, the tool will require to be a part of the curve only, and must be operated by the slide rest around the curve.
For finishing the curves or round corners in cast-iron work the spring tool is especially advantageous, as it will produce a polished clean surface of exquisite finish if used with water, and the cutting speed is exceedingly slow, as about 7 feet per minute.
Lathe Slide Rest Tools for Brass Work.
Nearly all the tools used in the slide rest upon iron work may be employed upon brass work, but the top faces should not have rake, that is to say, they should have their top faces lying in the same plane as the bottom plane of the tool steel which rests on the slide rest. For if the top face is too keen it rips rather than cuts the brass, giving it a patchy, mottled appearance.