I've been using HSS tools in my lathe for AL, Brass, some steel.

Recently I've noticed photos of people using carbide tipped tools in Taig and other small lathes. What is the verdict? Do the carbide tools offer a significant advantage on these small machines? I seem to recall being told that micro lathes didn't have the motor power or rigidity to benefit from carbide tools. Is there any truth to this?

I use carbide most of the time mainly because thats what I have more of

on Alum it does not seem build up as quick as HSS...

can't really say if its better or worse...preference I quess

I only use HSS on plastic....

I machine a fair bit of steel, and used to use HSS bits. I found they wear down a lot quicker than carbide. I don't have a flood coolant system, which would help with the wearing down bit by keeping the bit cool. Carbide bits don't seem to heat up as much either.

I think both HSS and carbide offer advantages. I like HSS because it is easy for me to grind custom profiles for those unique jobs. For standard profiles I prefer carbide for the convenience and ease of swapping out/rotating inserts. I 'can' grind standard profiles BUT I would rather use my time to turn out parts. YMMV.

Thanks guys. I think I'll try some carbide insert tools for my more standard turning requirements. These look like a good deal for the Taig:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G5639

I bought a few sets of those for our little Dyna CNC lathe at work. They were relatively inexpensive and I could them down to fit in the tool changer. You'll need a different tool post to mount them though. If you have a small mill or the milling attachment on you lathe you could make up a taig style tool post (or just modify a Taig tool post). The other option is the A2Z Quick Change tool post.

My son and I have been testing the A2Z unit for a couple of weeks now and have to say it is a valuable addition to the taig lathe. Its biggest advantage I think is that it opens up a whole new range of tooling possibilities as you can mount them in the A2Z holder and get the height dialed right in without fussing with shims.

I'm so impressed with it as a matter of fact that I signed up to be a dealer of their stuff.

I use mostly ground HSS but when doing some steels, such as A-2 or O-1, I'll use Carbide C6 grade but for hardened materials C7 seems to work well.

Now for stainless, that's another story as I usually have my best luck with HSS/M2 as the carbide just doesn't seem to have a good enough "edge".

What grades of carbide are you guys using and for what materials?

As for the A2Z unit, it's great but you do lose a lot of distance if you're trying to do larger diameters.

Dave

Thanks Jeff and Dave.

I have the A2Z quick change post and agree with both of your comments. One other issue is the post is more prone to rotation since the tool is further away from the hold down screw. I plan to implement this solution.

Where do you get C7 inserts? Looking through Grizzly's offering I selected the tools linked earlier because they are 3/8 shank and reasonably priced, but I only saw C6 inserts. Any reasonably priced tool holders for the taig that take C7 inserts?

Dave brings up a good point, with the A2Z quick change you could use 1/2" shank tools.....I'll have to look further.

The A2Z QC uses a base for the Taig that is exactly like the one in your post. I have not experienced any issues with it trying to rotate under use. In fact I suspect that if I tried I would stall the spindle first

I was just going to reply what Jeff just mentioned.

I'm guessing you have an early model, Mark?

Dave

My A2Z post was purchased a few years back.....In fact I can't even recall when I got it....must have been around the time I got my lathe.

In any case, the base is just a disk with a hole in the center. A single 10-32 screw goes from the top of the quick change, thought the base, to the T nut in the cross slide. Glad to hear A2Z has modified the base for the Taig and this problem is solved. Guess I better get busy fixin' mine.

hss is the best for brass belive me use it all the time unless you get the ground tips carbide pushes to much needs pressure we make 50 burners a month all ground to cert on shapes and mabye once a year ill sharpen them up