Carbide cutoff tool purchase

[Submachine]

I recently purchased, for $50, two carbide cuttoff tools, carbide lathe bit, a bunch of carbide inserts and a bunch of new 2 fluted end-mills (which I needed). Cut-off tools are Israeli and the other Swiss?

I have not learned to successfully use a cut-off tool.

When to use carbide versus HSS for cut-off?
Anyone have experience with carbide cutoffs and can provide general advise?

 

[ThinWoodsman]

I picked up one of those parting blades that has a carbide insert at either end, and use it on everything (aluminum, steel, stainless, brass so far). Use a square to ensure the BXA is 90 to the workpiece, use a shop-built center height gauge (got the idea from a Joe Pi video like everyone else) to ensure it is dead-center. Zero problems. I always take an initial heavy cut, as if cutting through the skin of hot-roll or cast iron. Light cuts tend to scrape. Also, have a mixture of mineral oil and kerosense that I squirt onto the insert to keep buildup from forming.

 

[Submachine]

Forgot pic

 

[Submachine]

I picked up one of those parting blades that has a carbide insert at either end, and use it on everything (aluminum, steel, stainless, brass so far). Use a square to ensure the BXA is 90 to the workpiece, use a shop-built center height gauge (got the idea from a Joe Pi video like everyone else) to ensure it is dead-center. Zero problems. I always take an initial heavy cut, as if cutting through the skin of hot-roll or cast iron. Light cuts tend to scrape. Also, have a mixture of mineral oil and kerosense that I squirt onto the insert to keep buildup from forming.

50/50 kerosene and mineral oil?

 

[ThinWoodsman]

Yeah, nothing fancy. Basically add kersone until the mineral oil flows better, or add mineral oil until the kerosene stench is bearable

Those double-ended cutoff blades on the upper left are exactly like the one I use, in a BXA-71 (not Aloris, a knockoff).

 

[Submachine]

Yeah, nothing fancy. Basically add kersone until the mineral oil flows better, or add mineral oil until the kerosene stench is bearable

Those double-ended cutoff blades on the upper left are exactly like the one I use, in a BXA-71 (not Aloris, a knockoff).

What should I do with all the extra carbide inserts?

 

[stupoty]

What should I do with all the extra carbide inserts?

iscar insers are probably $5 - $15 each (or more) so put them somware safe or on ebay

Stu

 

[ThinWoodsman]

Quick follow-up, here's a link to the Settings lathe tools on center video, at the 4:24 mark. I made a similar gauge out of 1.5" dia aluminum. Mine has two steps: center height from ways and center height from cross slide (I used a file to finish that last one after roughing the step on the mill).

Some other notes: always lock down the carriage, and if the workpiece moces (e.g. slides in the chuck or collet), stop everything and redo the parting setup after you've more firmly clamped the workpiece. Side-loading on the parting tool is not good.

What should I do with all the extra carbide inserts?

Halloween costume!

 

[Submachine]

Quick follow-up, here's a link to the Settings lathe tools on center video, at the 4:24 mark. I made a similar gauge out of 1.5" dia aluminum. Mine has two steps: center height from ways and center height from cross slide (I used a file to finish that last one after roughing the step on the mill).

Some other notes: always lock down the carriage, and if the workpiece moces (e.g. slides in the chuck or collet), stop everything and redo the parting setup after you've more firmly clamped the workpiece. Side-loading on the parting tool is not good.



Halloween costume!

Begs to question about we're do I place Chuck in the tailstock.

Seriously, are you saying little to no value based on your Halloween comment?

 

[jwmay]

I couldn’t part off to save my life with hss. I got a carbide insert cut off tool eventually from some mixed lot of tooling. I’ve been using that insert for about two years now, and it really solved my problem. I guess you could say it hides, or negates my lack of skill, since I’m sure if I tried to use hss, I’d still suck at it. +1 for carbide insert parting tools!