Lathe tooling?
- Thread starter cthulu
- Start date
So much information missing in your post there is no where to start. What are you making, what materials, budget, your favorite color, and a wide variety of other things that machinists have spent learning over the years. Within that there are many ways that one can machine a part and we develop routines that work for us with the tools we have. What you have asked is akin to "I just bought a tool box, what tools do I put in it?"
I'd suggest that you get a MSC big book and study it a bit. They are one of larger distributors of tooling. The usually have a few choices of the same tool in a variety of prices and qualities.
https://www.mscdirect.com/
lg
no neat sig line
I'd suggest that you get a MSC big book and study it a bit. They are one of larger distributors of tooling. The usually have a few choices of the same tool in a variety of prices and qualities.
https://www.mscdirect.com/
lg
no neat sig line
matt_i
Well-known member
Use a CCMT insert, around 3/8" inset circle. You can turn and face with 1 insert. The larger nose radius is more forgiving. Don't use it for interrupted cuts. A SCLCR is a good place to start or its mirror opposite SCLCL.
Don't even look at negative rake tools, that lathe can't handle the cutting forces involved.
Learn to sharpen HSS tools as that's a tool you can make do anything. You can use a $10 tool for some years. A busted insert is $10 down the drain RIGHT NOW.
Don't even look at negative rake tools, that lathe can't handle the cutting forces involved.
Learn to sharpen HSS tools as that's a tool you can make do anything. You can use a $10 tool for some years. A busted insert is $10 down the drain RIGHT NOW.
That's a nice tool room you're putting together. That lathe can definitely handle carbide tooling, including negative rake.
I use mostly carbide, with some HSS for custom grinds. I do not waste my time grinding HSS to standard geometries available in carbide. The brands (tool holder) I use also vary, Chinese import, Seco, Iscar, Hertel, Kennemetal, Dorian and of course Aloris. They're all good.
I'd recommend a triangular insert with small radius for rapid stock removal to get started, as well as a standard 60 degree thread tooling, either stand up or lay down style.
Like said, peruse some catalogs. As a beginning you'll do better starting off with "kits" which come with tool holder and a bunch of inserts to get you started.
I use mostly carbide, with some HSS for custom grinds. I do not waste my time grinding HSS to standard geometries available in carbide. The brands (tool holder) I use also vary, Chinese import, Seco, Iscar, Hertel, Kennemetal, Dorian and of course Aloris. They're all good.
I'd recommend a triangular insert with small radius for rapid stock removal to get started, as well as a standard 60 degree thread tooling, either stand up or lay down style.
Like said, peruse some catalogs. As a beginning you'll do better starting off with "kits" which come with tool holder and a bunch of inserts to get you started.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
How deep are your pockets? You can spend a few grand on lathe tooling without breaking a sweat.
I would recommend you buy some HSS blanks and learn to grind some basic tools. High speed steel is way better for low horsepower machines.
If you really want inserted carbide, you'll want to brush up on the insert geometry nomenclature. There are a lot of letters and codes to keep straight. Size, style, shape, grade, coatings, all kinds of factors. There's so many its very hard to keep it all straight.
For you to start, I would reinforce matt_i's recommendation and get something positive rake. You'll be chasing your tail with a negative rake insert. Negative tools NEED horsepower and rigidity to run. If you don't understand what the difference is, you'll want to brush up on how cutters are ground and why. See HSS recommendation above.
As far as retailers go, MSC has the most, but they are generally very expensive. I don't buy from them unless I have a really good coupon or sale.
McMaster-Carr has lathe tooling, you just need to know what you want.
Travers tool is another good source, as well as KBC tool.
Brands are a fussy thing, you can have good results with most of the big boys. I run mostly Iscar and Tungaloy inserts. I have them in Hertel, Iscar and Kennametal holders. I have some Seco insers in my mill that I like too.
I would recommend you buy some HSS blanks and learn to grind some basic tools. High speed steel is way better for low horsepower machines.
If you really want inserted carbide, you'll want to brush up on the insert geometry nomenclature. There are a lot of letters and codes to keep straight. Size, style, shape, grade, coatings, all kinds of factors. There's so many its very hard to keep it all straight.
For you to start, I would reinforce matt_i's recommendation and get something positive rake. You'll be chasing your tail with a negative rake insert. Negative tools NEED horsepower and rigidity to run. If you don't understand what the difference is, you'll want to brush up on how cutters are ground and why. See HSS recommendation above.
As far as retailers go, MSC has the most, but they are generally very expensive. I don't buy from them unless I have a really good coupon or sale.
McMaster-Carr has lathe tooling, you just need to know what you want.
Travers tool is another good source, as well as KBC tool.
Brands are a fussy thing, you can have good results with most of the big boys. I run mostly Iscar and Tungaloy inserts. I have them in Hertel, Iscar and Kennametal holders. I have some Seco insers in my mill that I like too.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Do yourself a favor and read this book to bone up on cutting tool principles.
https://books.google.com/books?id=J...fAhUIm-AKHQhJCpIQuwUIKDAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
https://books.google.com/books?id=J...fAhUIm-AKHQhJCpIQuwUIKDAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
txvwnut
Well-known member
Also check out Shars.com and Travers.com for tooling, Amazon even has stuff when you know what your looking for.
Can you give us a link to the holder you bought? Did you also get their big catalog?
lg
no neat sig line
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
When buying carbide inserts the larger nose radius = more tool pressure = more likelihood of chatter. The larger radius will give a better finish for the same feed rate so the selection is a balance. You might try grinding hss tools with larger radii to see how much your lathe can handle before investing in holders and inserts.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Look for a local shop closing down on Craigslist. They will have hundreds of tools that they should sell for near scrap prices. The market for used lathe tooling is near zero - you'll be able to buy thousands of dollars worth of stuff for pennies on the dollar.
After you do that, then go supplement with new stuff.
After you do that, then go supplement with new stuff.
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/09827874?fromRR=Y
That's the holder then I picked up a few RD8p bits for it, I could technically do a 5/8 holder with the quick change mounts I have but it looks like selection for 1/2 is a lot better.