04-20-2012, 05:52 AM
That's a proprietary, though more rigid version of something that's been available for over 40 years: Top Notch grooving/threading tools.
Kennametal had developed the tooling system long ago, and distributed it widely. The patent had long run out, and now Walter Valenite, Tool Flo, and myriad other companies make the holders and inserts for them. There are 3 basic size groups, a 2, 3 and 4. If they ever made a tiny "1" size or a larger "5", I don't know about it. The 3 is the most popular, by far. I have them in left and right hand holders.
With the Top Notch system, you can also find a huge variety of different threading and grooving inserts, though parting inserts are very limited. The Top Notch inserts are much cheaper and easier to find. Iscar did a good job with that, but they never stick with anything as long as the Top Notch stuff has been out there.
Kennametal had developed the tooling system long ago, and distributed it widely. The patent had long run out, and now Walter Valenite, Tool Flo, and myriad other companies make the holders and inserts for them. There are 3 basic size groups, a 2, 3 and 4. If they ever made a tiny "1" size or a larger "5", I don't know about it. The 3 is the most popular, by far. I have them in left and right hand holders.
With the Top Notch system, you can also find a huge variety of different threading and grooving inserts, though parting inserts are very limited. The Top Notch inserts are much cheaper and easier to find. Iscar did a good job with that, but they never stick with anything as long as the Top Notch stuff has been out there.