noSo is it worth the extra outlay in going for 16mm over 12mm tooling?
^^^^^^^^ That is the best answer IMO because, see below.I'd say go for the bigger ones, just in case you decide to upgrade to a bigger lathe in the future.
^^^^ 12mm tools are way more rigid than needed with a ML7's head stock and spindle plus the 1/2 HP motor and single belt drive limit the amount of torque.I've got an ml seven and just went for 12mm size even though not restricted yet by a quick change toolpost, I'm just clamping to the top slide.
With the lack of horse power in the myford motor can't see much call for larger tooling. Not going to be taking massive cuts anyway.
Maybe larger diameter for a boring bar in deep holes, but I'd probably look to using the mill for any serious boring where possible.
It has got to be 70mm diameter, even 35mm radius will have a lot of unsupported parting blade. You need to keep everything as tight and supported as possible when parting or it all gets a bit too exciting which is why some people don't like doing it on a small lathe.Is this any good? 19mm blade compared to 26mm.
Also is it worth going for a 2mm tip rather than 3mm?
PARTING OFF TOOL CUT OFF SYSTEM BLOCK BLADE TIP 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25MM LATHES | eBay
PERFECT FOR MINI LATHES INCLUDING MYFORD. 16MM SHANK AND BIGGER PARTING SYSTEMS WILL PART UPTO 100MM. INDEXABLE PARTING SYSTEM.www.ebay.co.uk
It says it can part up to 70mm bar. Just by looking at it it looks like it could do a lot more than that. Would I be correct in assuming it means 70mm radius?