August 25, 2011
July 25, 2011
May 17, 2011
Ingersoll T-FORCE
Ingersoll’s new T-Force double sided H series chipbreaker.
For rough and finish machining.
Most cutting tool manufacturers design and produce single-sided ISO turning inserts in order to provide high levels of strength and toughness in heavy turning applications. Ingersoll has developed a new concept that utilizes the otherwise useless underside of these single-sided inserts for finish turning capacity. The result is the T-FORCE product line that combines a heavy roughing insert with a finishing insert.
The new concept of double-sided inserts utilizes our most aggressive chip breaker geometry types such as the HT, HY, and HZ for 80 degree CNMD and 90 degree SNMD inserts for heavy rough machining. Also new is the HD roughing chip breaker, which is designed to protect the insert with a smooth chip-breaking action when machining deeply stepped parts such as shafts. The underside of all these inserts contains a common style, finishing chip breaker that allows each insert to be used in the same holder, under different operating conditions, for final finishing passes on large work pieces.
This new product summarizes the Ingersoll spirit that never stops developing innovative new products to improve cost reduction solutions to its customers.

Insert Styles:
CNMD646
CNMD866
SNMD646
SNMD866
Chipbreakers:
HD (new)
HT
HY
HZ
Holders:
Compatible with all ISO standard turning holders
Feed Rates:
Upper Side: .014~.059 ipr
(0.35~1.5mm/rev)
Under Side: .016~.032 ipr
(0.4~0.8mm/rev)
Cutting Depths:
Upper Side: .160~.590 inches
(4.0~15.0mm)
Under Side: .120~.200 inches
(3.0~5.0mm)
Grades:
TT8115 TT8125
Applications:
Heavy duty machining applications
Ideal for large diameter shafts and vertical turret lathes.
FEATURES
• Utilizes both sides to improve economy & cost reduction
• Offers a variety of sizes and chip breakers to meet customers specific heavy rough machining requirements
• Economy is further improved by using one tool holder for rough to finish machining.

The upper-side of the double sided insert can be used in the same manner as a single-sided insert.
The under-side can then be used when finish machining is required.
March 16, 2011
Lyle Reamers for Trimming Plastic Bottles
Full custom, special tooling can be made at General Cutting Tools. General Cutting Tools AKA Cutting Tools Chicago has been manufacturing these special, world-class quality tooling for plastic bottle manufacturers for over 30 years. These are used for removing the flashing burr from the openings on plastic bottles. The catch to making these is that we had to anticipate the size of the opening due to the plastic has not completely cured.
General Cutting Tools master toolmakers uses 7 axis CNC (Computer Numeric Control) tool cutter grinders and the highest quality abrasives to produce our tooling. We have the experience and equipment to make the right tool for you, the first time, and you will not have to wait a long time to get them.
March 10, 2011
NBC News Features the New Face of Manufacturing
It’s become a familiar story to the manufacturing industry: Old-style manufacturing jobs have gone the way of the typewriter, and newer positions require more advanced technical skills. But on March 1, the story got some mainstream treatment when it was featured on NBC Nightly News.
In a spot that featured MAG Americas, an International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) exhibitor, Tom Brokaw spoke with MAG executives and employees, among others to discuss the ways that manufacturing companies are now developing their own talent.
March 7, 2011
February 28, 2011
February 21, 2011
Open or Closed Dressing, You Can Count on Fliesen Tools
Whether dressing a wheel OPEN or CLOSED you can count on Fliesen tools. Open wheels (sharp, free-cutting abrasive grains are exposed) are created by increasing the speed a Fliesen tool moves across the wheel when dressing. Generally considered the most favorable wheel conditioning, open wheels avoid workpiece burn while maximizing a wheel’s ability to remove metal quickly when grinding.
Slowing a Fliesen tool as it moves across the wheel creates a closed wheel condition (abrasive grains are smoother, less sharp), a very helpful condition when trying to lower part surface finish readings.
You can count on Fliesen stationary diamond dressing tools. Open wheels (sharp, free-cutting abrasive grains are exposed) are created by increasing the speed a tool moves across the wheel. Open wheels maximize a wheel’s ability to remove metal quickly when grinding. Slowing a tool as it moves across the wheel creates a closed wheel (abrasive grains are smoother, less sharp), which is ideal when trying to lower part surface finish readings.
Are you dressing modern ceramic alumina grinding wheels? Our new Furioso plates and shank tools are made of the new generation of highly wear-resistant diamond blades, engineered to stand up to durable modern ceramic alumina grinding wheels, including Norton Quantum wheels. (see Furioso flyer in “Related Documents”.)
Norton No-Risk Test Policy
There is no better time to improve productivity in your abrasive operations. Saint-Gobain’s new No-Risk Productivity Policy is designed to help you improve any of your production goals including improved cycle times, lower total production costs, higher quality parts, or improved finish, while eliminating any risk. You define the metrics that determine a successful test as well as what is necessary to eliminate any risks, and our technical salesperson will identify the right product to help you meet your production needs, no matter what competive product you are currently using.
WHAT DOES NO RISK MEAN?
- You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.
- You define the application requirements and the metrics of a successful test.
- You define the definition of No-Risk in terms of cost to test, downtime, part rejection, and any other risk that is important to you.
- You define the time period of the test.
The Benefits of Fliesen Tools
Spend More Time Grinding
Single point, chisel, and cone point tools require operator attention to ensure proper tool rotation at regular intervals. Fliesen tools require no adjustments. Simply install the tool, dress the wheel to break it in, and the tool will do the rest. Operators spend more time grinding – rather than making non-productive dressing adjustments.
Longer Tool Life
Expect long life when using a Fliesen tool. Other stationary tools, made with a single diamond stone, develop flat spots (“wear flats”) over time – which create chatter and burn. Fliesen tools use hand-set, fine diamond grit, eliminating the creation of wear flats.
Reliable and Cost-Effective
Harder, H-bond metal formulation Fliesen tools have been specifically engineered to efficiently dress durable silicon carbide and ceramic wheels. Our new Furioso Fliesen tools have a unique bond system developed for optimal performance when dressing Quantum (NQ) ceramic wheels. W-bond Fliesen tools are designed for conventional aluminum oxide wheels.
Fliesen Tool Configurations
Fliesen tools are available in two basic tool configurations. The most common is a plate configuration, which is somewhat rectangular-shaped with a mounting hole. Fliesen Shank Tool configurations are plates mounted in shanks of varying sizes and shapes. Most grinding machines accommodate one or the other tool configuration. To find the correct tool configuration for your machine, check the existing dressing tool, refer to the Tools by Machine Type Index in this catalog, or consult your grinding machine manual.
MATCH THE CORRECT FLIESEN TOOL TO YOUR GRINDING WHEEL ABRASIVE
Use Fliesen tools with W-bond specifications for aluminum oxide wheels. W-bonded tools have the standard matrix of metal surrounding the diamonds. When dressing more durable abrasive wheels, such as silicon carbide and ceramic, use our H-bonded tools, or our new Furioso tools for Quantum and other ceramic wheels, which are harder and more durable. Markings on the tool indicate the tool’s bond matrix. Use the right bond matrix for your abrasive application, as each is specifically engineered to perform best on the abrasive it was designed for. The catalog product charts are categorized by abrasive and appropriate bond.
FLIESEN TOOL MOUNTING GUIDELINES
1. Be sure to mount the tool correctly. Tool contact surface should be perpendicular to wheel.


2. Mount tool with diamond on trailing edge whenever possible as shown below.

RECOMMENDED DRESSING PARAMETERS
There are three elements to proper dressing. Dresser Infeed is the amount of material the tool takes off per dress pass. Dress Traverse Rate is the speed at which the tool moves across the wheel. The third element is the Number of Passes across the wheel. We recommend the following:
1. Dresser Infeed
Dresser Infeed (amount tool moves into wheel) = .0005″ to .0015″ (.012mm – .038mm) for aluminum oxide wheels. Reduce by 25% when dressing silicon carbide or ceramic wheels.
2. Dress Traverse Rate
Select a Lead Value based on desired Surface Finish and run the formula below.
FINISH LEAD VALUE (PER WHEEL REVOLUTIONS)
For Coarse Finish (approx. 64 rms) .023″ to .030″ (.58mm – .76mm)
For Medium Finish (approx. 32 rms) .013″ to .022″ (.33mm – .57mm)
For Fine Finish (approx 16 rms) .006″ to .012″ (.15mm – .33mm)
DRESS TRAVERSE FORMULA:
Lead Value x Wheel Speed (RPM) = Inches/Minutes (mm/Min)
3. Number of Passes
One is required. Take more as needed to restore form or finish. Dress passes should always remove material from the wheel. If your tool is not cutting the wheel, it is dulling the wheel. Avoid dry or dead dress passes which do not remove wheel material.
MAXIMIZING TOOL LIFE AND EFFECTIVENESS
The goal of dressing is to maximize the wheel’s sharpness – for maximum metal removal when grinding. This is best accomplished through disciplined dressing speeds and feeds. Taking too much off per dress pass, and/or moving the tool too slowly across the wheel will cause the Fliesen tool to overheat, breakdown and wear prematurely. To maximize the tool’s effectiveness, increase the dress traverse rate as high as possible while maintaining part print surface finish requirements.
TOOL BREAK-IN
The diamonds in new Fliesen tools are often covered by the metal surrounding them and should undergo a break-in process before production dressing. This process ensures that the effective diamond layer is properly exposed. This is achieved by taking 3 – 5 dress passes at .005″ depth of cut (on wheel radius) at normal dress traverse rates.
Because the diamonds are set at a slight angle, it is normal for some diamonds to remain buried in the metal after the break-in and during production dressing.
COOLANT SPECIFICATIONS
Fliesen tools should be used with coolant whenever possible, to avoid overheating and shortening tool life. We recommend at least a .50″ (12.7mm) diameter stream of steady coolant be positioned so that the air barrier surrounding the wheel “pulls” the coolant (through the dressing action). A coolant velocity of 3% to 5% faster than the wheel’s surface feet per minute works well, or enough pressure to penetrate the air barrier surrounding the wheel as it spins.
RADIUS DRESSING CAPABILITIES
For most angle-head truing and dressing applications, Fliesen tools can provide uniform and consistent radius-generation second only to chisel and cone point type tools. When dressing very intricate forms, tool selection should be driven by the smallest concave or fillet radius needed to generate the desired radii, rather than wheel grit size. Refer to the chart below for radius dressing capabilities by diamond size.
January 27, 2011
Stacking Boxes Router Bit Set
Amana Tool, manufacturer of industrial-quality carbide-tipped, solid carbide and replacement carbide cutting tools, today announced the availability of a router bit set for constructing a set of stacking boxes. With the four-piece set created in partnership with master craftsman Lonnie Bird, professional woodworkers and hobbyists can easily create a set of two attractive stacking wood storage boxes in as little as a weekend.
The set contains popular router bit profiles that are great additions to any woodworker’s toolbox and can be used for a number of other applications once the stacking boxes project is finished.
Included in Amana’s unique set are four multi-use router bits – molding (#54286), straight plunge (#45446), beading (#56172) and ogee (#56210) – step-by-step instructions and two decorative solid brass knobs. Lonnie Bird designed the stacking box project to reflect traditional-looking profiles that are often seen in window casings and molding. When making the stacking boxes, the ogee bit is used to create a decorative ogee profile on the base of each box. The molding router bit features a two-flute design wit a ball bearing guide to create rule joints with perfectly matched profiles for the box lids. With the beading bit, woodworkers can form decorative profiles as part of the boxes’ “step” design without constructing complex joints.
“I designed this project for woodworkers of all skill levels who want to tackle a satisfying weekend project,” said Bird. “With Amana’s stacking box set, users can learn techniques that can easily be transferred to other projects that are aesthetically pleasing and last for generations – just like their tools.”
The cutting edges of all pieces in the collection are made of an Amana-exclusive carbide grade that delivers the highest quality of cut, maximum cutting efficiency and extended tool life in solid wood materials. The stacking box set (item #58110) is available through Amana’s authorized distributor General Cutting Tools located in Chicago for $146.30 USD. The set includes four router bits, step-by-step how to instructions from Lonnie Bird to create a set of two stacking boxes, including full-color pictures, and two solid decorative brass knobs.
General Cutting Tools is an Amana Tool master distributor. We sell to the public as well as companies. Give us a call and we can help you with your next project.


For more information about the Stacking Boxes Router Bit Set
visit www.amanatool.com/stackingboxes
January 3, 2011
Amana Non-stick Industrial Saw Blades
Amana Tool has expanded their A.G.E. line with a collection of ArmorMax coated non-stick industrial saw blades.
Amana Tool, manufacturers of industrial-quality carbide-tipped, solid carbide and replacement carbide cutting tools, announced a new collection of A.G.E.™ saw blades that feature an A.G.E.-exclusive ArmorMAX™ non-stick coating to reduce friction, provide smooth cuts, prevent rust and improve overall blade life. A.G.E. non-stick blades are designed for crosscut, miter, and general rip and cut applications in materials such as hard and soft wood, laminates, veneered plywood and chipboard.

Amana ArmorMAX
The new line contains eight of the most popular A.G.E. saw blade sizes in thin- and full-kerf designs that are ideal for use in miter saws, sliding compound miter saws, radial arm saws and table saws, giving woodworkers and cabinetmakers access to industrial-quality saw blades both on the job site and in the shop. The thin-kerf miter and sliding compound miter blades are ideal for cutting picture frame and molding stock. Included in the ArmorMAX saw blade line is the Finito™, a series of low-noise crosscut blades that delivers extremely smooth, clean cuts when crosscutting hard and soft woods. The Finito is also suitable for veneered plywood and chipboard.
The ArmorMAX saw blade manufacturing process begins with laser-cutting the bodies from virgin steel, which are then annealed and roll tensioned. Carbide tips are brazed onto the plates using an ultra-strength tri-foil bonding material consisting of silver and copper, then the blades are coated in ArmorMAX, Amana’s exclusive PTFE non-stick coating. Finally, the carbide tips are ground to Amana’s strict specifications, enhancing the blades’ excellent cutting performance. The non-stick A.G.E. blades also feature laser cut expansion slots and stabilizer vents that reduce noise, minimize vibrations and prevent heat buildup and blade warping. Each step in the manufacturing process is computer-controlled and monitored by sophisticated inspection equipment to assure the tightest tolerances and superior quality.
“We recognized a need within our A.G.E. line for a coated saw blade that provides enhanced performance while extending blade life,” said Frank Misiti, Amana Tool technical director. “Our new non-stick collection answers this need with high-quality saw blades at the best possible prices for professional woodworkers and cabinetmakers. Our top-quality, German-manufactured saw blades are built on Amana Tool’s reputation for high quality and superior performance standards.”
A.G.E. ArmorMAX blades are available in 10″ and 12″ diameters, including the Finito (10″, item MD10-800R; 12″ item MD12-960R). Prices for the ArmorMAX blades start at $60.98 USD per blade; Finito blades start at $71.63 USD per blade.
To view the complete line of A.G.E. ArmorMAX blades, visit
http://www.agecuttingtools.com/armormax
About Amana Tool
An industry leader for more than 35 years, Amana Tool specializes in solid carbide, carbide insert and carbide-tipped cutting tools for the woodworking, plastics and aluminum industries. Amana Tool’s full line of industrial-quality woodworking tools includes saw blades, router bits, shaping cutters, boring bits and more for wood, plastics and aluminum. The company was founded in 1972 and has corporate headquarters in Farmingdale, N.Y.


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