wrote:

Ive used some 3/8 & 1/2 square tools that were factory ground to
about 1/16 on the end for parting
and cutoff. They work great but when I tried to reproduce one from a
blank, well the results werent very good and it takes forever to grind
away that much material. Has anyone ever ground there own ?

Yes several. I just "hog" out most of the excess with an abrasive
"chop" saw, and finish up on a surface grinder holding the bit in
a fixture with the desired side clearance. I'm pretty sure there
are some pictures on my home page.
http://home.earthlink.net/~lhartswick
Can't tell you the titles right now. (would have to change browsers)
...lew...