Which tools to get?

[katit]

I'm shopping for decent set of cutters, seems like Glanze get's good reviews, but kit from Grizzly does not have threading tool.

I don't want to learn how to sharpen tools, or should I?

What are good websites to get smaller tools? I'm looking for 5/16 as my first set.

Thanks!
Ivan

[djmurray]

First question is "What do you wish to cut"?? If you're planning on cutting HARD material, go with carbide, if you're looking for general purpose cutters, I prefer tool steel because I can get a better finish than with carbide.

Carbide DOES have a place - there are materials that'll dull tool steel in a flash that carbide will just happily cut through!

For general purpose work - and especially thread cutting, I almost always use tool steel! Several years ago, I came across a jig advertised in Home Shop Machinist called the "DIAMOND tool holder". I think it cost me about $110.00. It was worth EVERY PENNY!!! It comes with a 1/4" tool bit holder and a grinding jig that makes it a snap to grind a toolbit for general purpose work and threading. The result is a razor sharp edge that I had trouble getting when sharpening by hand. When I say "a snap", I'm talking about sharpening a thread-cutting bit to an exact 60 deg. profile in less than a minute! As a result, I always sharpen my bit right before cutting a thread. In the past, I'd try to limp along by touching up my cutter and hope I wouldn't get too much swarf! You might want to take a look - I think they still advertise in HSM!

Good luck!
Dennis

[redgreener]

Hello, it's hard to go wrong with a set of Glanze, if you find a set you like I'd say "go for it". I got an inexpensive set of carbide indexable holders from Griz several months ago, and I am perfectly happy with these. This one uses TCMT 315x's , a common size; I'd recommend either these or the ones that use tcmt 215x for the 7x machine. I have actually used these triangular inserts to cut threads as well, and got acceptably good results.
Carbide or HSS? A home shop can and should have both, as there are areas where they each have a place. Learning to grind tools is an art, and should be learned, but it can be frustrating for a beginner to master this. Carbide can give great results immediately, if used properly. The main thing I would recommend a beginner avoiding is the brazed carbide tools. These are mostly negative rake and are all WRONG for the low-powered shop lathes.
And, contrary to popular belief, TCMT carbide is capable of giving an outstanding surface finish. The trick is finding the proper speed and feed. I learned on my 8x lathe that running around 300rpm I can rip off a large chunk of stock, with no chatter, but rough finish. Then, I simply increase speed to around 600 rpm and take a light cut --.005 or less--and viola, the finish is almost as smooth as a spanked baby's bottom.
So, don't be afraid to take good advice, but feel free to experiment some too, it's surprising what you can learn sometimes.
lathesmith

[katit]

My immediate needs to make some studs (steel) and some adapters to press in/out bushings. I guess it's harder stuff. Aluminum? Maybe, but I don't have immediate need for that. So, for now I'd say steel will be main material.

I have 9x19 lathe btw.

So, grinder and HSS or Glanze (but no threading tools )
I'd like to stay away from grinding.

And I'm sure I can get acceptable results with indexable tools and always use sandpaper, etc to finish piece off.

[fretsman]

Several years ago, I came across a jig advertised in Home Shop Machinist called the "DIAMOND tool holder". I think it cost me about $110.00. It was worth EVERY PENNY!!!

Good luck!
Dennis

Would this be it, Dennis?

http://www.eccentricengineering.com.au/

Thanks,
Dave