fathom - 1:24 pm on Feb 5, 2013 (gmt 0)

After using the disavow tool is it necessary to raise a reconsideration request?

YES!

However there is a huge CAVEAT tied to that... if you didn't get notified by Google that you have a manual review for inorganic link violations - DON'T USE THE TOOL!

If you have a PENGUIN issue and you send a reconsideration request you are forcing the Webspam Team to review you (in other words you are sending them a spam report) and if you have lots of webspam issues you will attract a Manual Review.