Any smal lalhe owners using indexable tooling ?

[mikey]

I own a small lathe, HSS tooling - the AR Warner 3/8" turning and boring set and home ground tools - as well as inserted carbide tools so I'll take a shot at this one.

The AR Warner set is very nicely made, as are their inserts. Their HSS inserts look just like carbide inserts except they are made of HSS. The inserts are flat-topped. I cannot recall the clearance angle but never experienced rubbing with them. They can be sharpened easily by honing the top of the insert on a extra-fine diamond stone or bench stone, provided they aren't allowed to get too dull. The tools also take carbide inserts and AR Warner can tell you which inserts will fit their holders.

The ARW tools are used just like inserted carbide tools except that they finish much, much nicer than an inserted carbide tool. Are they better than a good home ground HSS bit? In my opinion, absolutely NOT! A well-ground HSS tool will rough deeper, finish better, and hold tighter tolerances than any inserted tool, both HSS or carbide, on a small lathe. Of course, this requires that you be able to grind the tool that you need. On the other hand, the ARW set will cut brass nicely due to the flat top rake. The ARW set also gives really nice finishes on stainless steel and almost as good a finish with tool steels. I don't cut titanium or inconel so can't comment on those. They will cut and finish mild steel, aluminum, brass and most plastics well, also.

So, if you cannot or do not like to grind HSS tools then the ARW set will probably work better than a carbide set on a small lathe. Neither type works better than a well-ground HSS tool. The HSS inserts are expensive since they are proprietary; you won't find them on ebay for low cost like carbide inserts. They do last longer than carbide since they are less prone to chipping and can be sharpened on a diamond stone

Hope that helps.

 

[tripletap3]

Pardon my newbie ignorance but why is the Shars sets, (like this one? 404-1051) considered better than the Warner tools? Is it only because the metal the tool is made from is better? Thanks.

It isn't. The AR Warner stuff is top notch and I love my Warner tools. It is just the Shars set is about $30 less expensive and a good "starter" set for the money that includes 7 tools that are very versatile with carbide inserts http://www.shars.com/products/view/2764/12quot_Indexable_Carbide_Turning_Tool_Set. I am not referring to the triangular bit tools as I think they are mostly useless Personal opinion. The Shars set is solid and the bits fit tight and don't move like some of the Asian tools do. Like most starter sets you may not use all the tools but it does include a cut off and grooving tool and threading tool that I have found works great. My point was just to help out someone that was getting started and doesn't have a ton of money to buy tooling. I think I bought mine on a flebay sale at discount machine for $70 with shipping.
My philosophy is to try and help someone get started with something decent. and not scare them off telling them they have to by top of the line stuff. That will come in time.

EDIT: Sorry I was typing this and before I got back to posting it there were more replies.

 

[JimSchroeder]

I use inserts on both my mini-lathe and my 10 x 22 for more than 95% of the work. I have recently switched to carbide for threading so I am approaching 100%. Most of my use of HSS is for unique shapes or finishes such as done with a tangential shear tool. I have recently discovered a very economical source of basic insert tooling and inserts:

mesatool.com

The tool holders are well finished and come sizes that most home machinists use such as 3/8" and 1/2". I have tried some of the negative rake tools but find they do not work well on the lighter machines we use. They require too much speed and force to obtain good results.

Jim