Lathe cutter primer?

[Whiskeymike]

Anyone have a pointer to a primer/overview of the various metal lathe cutters? I just took a class at TechShop and I'm ready to start working on the Jet lathes. The instructor quickly covered the various cutters and recommended we purchase carbide insert tools. However, I'm lost looking through Enco and others.

Is there a good book, video series, or retailer overview on what shapes are used for what activity?

 

[A_Pmech]

Carbide insert tooling or high speed steel toolbits?

 

[OkRider]

Sandvik and Iscar are what I used mostly at work the last 20 years for turning and boring tools, DNMG profile mostly. Iscar and Manchester for grooving and part off. OD threading, Iscar. ID threading, Manchester. Lots of insert options and coatings depending on material to be cut. It's a science.

I've been retired from it all for almost two years now. Sometimes MSC, Travers, Penn Tool, etc, will run a manufacturers special of a tool holder and a box of inserts for the cost of the inserts or the tool holder. You might get your hands on some sale fliers and see if anyone has any deals.

It's a huge world of tooling and inserts out there and none of it is cheap. Best of luck in your search.

 

[pstemari]

If you're using a smallish bench lathe like a Jet 12x36, I'd suggest looking at some 1/2" shank tools from latheinserts.com. Reasonably priced stuff that's sharp enough to use on a light lathe. Arwarnerco.com has a selection of HSS tools and inserts that are reputed to be very good on light lathes, but i haven't personally tried them.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[MushCreek]

I like insertable carbide. I use triangular inserts, but not the flat, cheap ones, but rather the 'good' ones from the name brands, mostly Iscar. I work with tool steel a lot, so I need good stuff. For a beginner, I recommend learning how to grind various high speed steel bits, too. You never know when you have a special application where the standard inserts won't work, and every machinist should know the basic theory behind cutting tools.

 

[gungatim]

this might help.

 

[Whitworth]

For me there's just too many insert styles to make a big fuss about what each and every one does or is intended for.

Pick/purchase some tooling for your particulate machining needs and stick with it. I use TCMT triangular inserts for about 80 percent of my turning, and maybe a half dozen other geometries for whatever remaining turning needs and some milling as well.

Upfront tooling costs can set you back a few hundred when figuring tool holder(s) plus insert cost. So don't be in rush to invest a lot in tooling you may only use occasionally.

 

[lilredex]

Mr. Pete has some of the best visuals...

 

[Whiskeymike]

The lathe is a Jet 14x40 Engine Lathe.

Thanks for all of the advice. That guide was very helpful Gungatim, thanks.

I guess the next step is to purchase a handful of HSS bits, and a couple holders with carbide inserts. Maybe a smallish boring bar. And get started.

The above info helped me figure out what to start searching for and I found this and it was very helpful. http://www.ebay.com/gds/Carbide-Inserts-Buying-Guide-/10000000177627179/g.html