Smithy Midas 1220 XL - Manual (Page 44)

Figure 9.4 When honing, draw the cutter away from the cutting edge across the oilstone.
Materials Other Than Steel
As pointed out earlier, when grinding HSS cutters, we determine cutting angles primarily
by strength requirements, not keenness requirements. Angles and rakes for general
industrial shop use are established. In machining steel, the softer the steel, the keener
the angle of the cutting edge. For soft steels, angles as acute as 61° are possible (Figure
9.5).
Figure 9.5 With soft steels, 61 degree angles are possible.
The same general rule applies to cast iron. Chilled or very hard cast iron requires tools
with cutting-edge angles as great as 85°. For ordinary cast iron, you obtain greatest
efficiency with a more acute cutting edge-approximately 71° (Figure 9.6).
Figure 9.6 With cast iron, a 71 degree angle is most efficient.
Oilstone
9-3
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Midas 1220 XL Operator’s Manual