Richard 2004

A man name Freeby Berger introduced me to his homebuilt toolholder in the mid 1940’s. He called it a graver and it consisted of a forged block with a slanted groove which held the toolbit. The bit was ground on only one edge so that the ground area resembled a diamond shape. I have since learned that a graver is an old hand-held tool used by wood carvers and clockmakers.

I built one like Freeby’s in the mid seventies for use on a Taig lathe using aluminum for the block. It was named “Freeby” by me. In the photo below, the holder on the left shows my first attempt. It is still in use today and is the model for several types I have built and continue to use on several lathes and horizontal millers. The Taig in my shop does not have a compound rest and the block works well when fitted on the cross slide. The tool geometry allows one to turn or face a workpiece without any readjusting of the HSS bit. It can turn in either direction and face on the left or right by using separate grooves for holding the toolbit.

The second from the left in the photo shows a holder for use exclusively on the compound rest of a 7 x ** lathe It also has several grooves for the toolbit. I have since found that one needs only one groove to do both functions as will be shown. The bits  need an occasional adjustment for height due to wear (not a fun job) and thanks to John Moran, it is made easy by using one of the popular QCTP types as the base for the system. John built a phase II type assembly for his base and the holder can be seen at: http://www.gadgetbuilder.com. Follow the link to Tangential Tool Holder.

My latest and by far my most sturdy structure uses the Carlson type tool base shown above and has an assortment of toolholders. Two posts are shown, one for mounting on the compound slide and the other for mounting on the cross slide of a 7 x **. Next to the posts are shown a holder for a turning bit and a holder for a  boring bar. On the right side is the  Freeby special holder made of gray cast iron, having only one groove, and can be changed from right to left working directions by simply rotating the base or holder 90 degrees CW. I don’t use the compound slide unless needed, when working with the 7 x ** lathes because IMO the lathe is sturdier by far when the compound is removed.

The photos below show on the left, the completed cast iron Freeby in action. The last two photos show the Freeby for turning toward the chuck and rotated for turning toward the tailstock.

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