Metal sizes

[boomer12831]

I wanted to buy some carbide tools for wood turning but they were in the $130.00 dollar range and I needed at least 4 of them to get started. I figured I could make my own so I bought the 4 cutting bits that I needed for $60.00 and a piece of 1/2x1/2 square steel for $6.00. I started grinding the tip of a piece of steel but I found that the 1/2x1/2 is a little to big. I am wondering if they make 1/2x3/8. I think it would work better than what I have. The shop that I buy from is closed for the holidays and I can wait but I am just curious. Thanks.Ed

 

[larry_g]

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=199&step=2&top_cat=197

In the above link you can find some common sizes.

lg
no neat sigline

 

[matt_i]

The web is crawling with online, short-run metal suppliers. I would pick the closest to you just to cut shipping charges and also to speed delivery.

 

[Cyberbear]

1. I've used www.speedymetals.com for my small metal needs. They used to provide the USPS as a shipping option, but you must request it.
2. I've done lots of wood turning over the years and found that HSS (high speed steel) tools actually hold a sharper edge than carbide, and is easier to sharpen.

 

[dcmus]

1. I've used www.speedymetals.com for my small metal needs. They used to provide the USPS as a shipping option, but you must request it.
2. I've done lots of wood turning over the years and found that HSS (high speed steel) tools actually hold a sharper edge than carbide, and is easier to sharpen.

3/8 square is a standard HSS size. Little Macine Sop, Enco, etc.

 

[Boomer343]

If the steel you bought is hot rolled then it will bend quite easily if there is very much extension beyond the tool rest.

 

[matt_i]

If the steel you bought is hot rolled then it will bend quite easily if there is very much extension beyond the tool rest.

Disagree and offer a short materials science course. Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled, Tool Steel all will bend with the same Youngs (elastic modulus). An edge tool should function on its stiffness and not needing to resist permanent deformation, like it would in a design-for-strength application. Higher stiffness is achieved with solid carbide although at the large expense of ductility.

 

[404]

Disagree and offer a short materials science course. Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled, Tool Steel all will bend with the same Youngs (elastic modulus). An edge tool should function on its stiffness and not needing to resist permanent deformation, like it would in a design-for-strength application. Higher stiffness is achieved with solid carbide although at the large expense of ductility.

You are correct of course, but I think Boomer meant plastic deformation.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I just used metal supermarket and found a local store. I was able to walk right up and get what I needed. They do sometimes have a wait of a day or two for cutting depending on how busy they are. I got what I needed from the scrap pile. They gave me the nickel tour while I was there. It was a pretty cool place. They will cut, bend, stamp, drill whatever you need...for a fee of course.

 

[404]

I just used metal supermarket and found a local store. I was able to walk right up and get what I needed. They do sometimes have a wait of a day or two for cutting depending on how busy they are. I got what I needed from the scrap pile. They gave me the nickel tour while I was there. It was a pretty cool place. They will cut, bend, stamp, drill whatever you need...for a fee of course.

Tell us the name and location of this wonderful place.

 

[kylefitz]

I believe he was talking about this place. http://metalsupermarkets.com/?v=m

Says they have 70+ locations in North America.

 

[gungatim]

curious what you are turning that requires carbide, all my lathe tooling (wood lathe) is HSS and works just fine. can't say I've ever heard of carbide tooling for wood turning before, what kind of turning do you do?

 

[csargents1546]

What cutters are you using? As it would have it I just finished my own carbide lathe tool. I used .5 by.5 with no problem. As far as what you need carbide for, it holds it edge longer. This is a huge bonus for those of us who are not very good at sharpening hss.

 

[gungatim]

I am clearly missing something, wood lathe correct? with hand held turning tools? or are you turning wood on a metal lathe?

 

[maxpower_hd]

I believe he was talking about this place. http://metalsupermarkets.com/?v=m

Says they have 70+ locations in North America.

Yes. I guess I should have typed it better. They have a lot of stuff at the local store I went to which is Woburn, Massachusetts but they are a chain of independently owned franchises. The one I went to is the North Boston location.

The point is you can go and look to see what they have. They are set up kind of like a lumber yard.