"Shopmate" made lathe tools?

[algale]

More questions from a Shopsmith newby.

As I began sharpening the lathe tools that came with my new-to-me but 10 years old 520, I noticed two unexpected things.

First, while everything that came with my 520 has the Shopsmith brand name on it, the lathe tool, although they are branded with the Shopsmith part number on them, are actually branded "Shopmate." Anybody know why?

Second, the parting tool appears to be either made of a different metal or at least has a different finish on it. All the other lathe tools are very shiny HSS. The parting tool had a dull grey finish to it, although as I sharpened it it started to get all nice and shiny where I sharpened it, like the other tools. Any idea why it has a different finish on it?

[SDSSmith]

More questions from a Shopsmith newby.

As I began sharpening the lathe tools that came with my new-to-me but 10 years old 520, I noticed two unexpected things.

First, while everything that came with my 520 has the Shopsmith brand name on it, the lathe tool, although they are branded with the Shopsmith part number on them, are actually branded "Shopmate." Anybody know why?

Second, the parting tool appears to be either made of a different metal or at least has a different finish on it. All the other lathe tools are very shiny HSS. The parting tool had a dull grey finish to it, although as I sharpened it it started to get all nice and shiny where I sharpened it, like the other tools. Any idea why it has a different finish on it?

According to a manual I have for a Shopmate Dust Collection System circa 1983, Shopmate was a registered trademark of Shopsmith. In addition to the lathe chisels, I have often gotten Mark V's with Shopmate branded sanding discs. The finish on your parting tool is normal, but I do not know why it is different.

[algale]

Thanks for the information on Shopmate, makes sense. Still curious why the finish on the parting tool is different....