How cheap should one get with carbide tool holders ?

[verbotenwhisky]

I guess I deal with the wrong successful, talented, professional machinists: the ones I know (and have known) are always interested in what I had made, what I had to say, give constructive feedback and more than willing to help. They may ask that I wait until they have some time, but that’s about all the pushback I’ve ever received.

The tool place I deal with has guys who have worked the machines and I respect them and there advice. I tell them I am not looking for the most expensive but I do not want cheep junk either, I am looking for something which will have a decent life span and produce good results. I chose to invest in a less expensive tool holder and spend a little more on the inserts which gives me the results I want. The guy at the tool store (they have these all over the country) has provided good advise I buy some stuff from him and continue to do business with him. This was my point, I am learning what these guys know....

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Agreed.

I bought a set from BG that takes 4 different inserts, but that includes threading and cutoff which your not going to get away from.

The sets that are at the opposite end of the spectrum are the ones that have all the same triangle inserts set at odd angles. These would seem to limit your work envelope or at least make you change your toolpost angle repeatedly.

I recently acquired a .400 button insert holder and inserts and it’s amazing.

I can take a .200 cut in A2 on our morisiki like nothing, it just peels off a big ole honkin chip.

Loving it!

Just as a general comment I agree with less is better; but I am also still learning.

On my mill I have 4 or 5 different tools that use inserts and all of them use the same style insert, they were purchased that way on purpose the only way they differ is I have 3 different coatings for cutting different materials.

I use 4 different inserts on my lathe, a .25 round, the diamond shape (I do not remember the ID for these) 1 for my parting tool and 1 for my threading tools, all of which I have the same 3 coatings for different materials. If I buy new tools they will fit into one of these categories or they will be HSS.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Can you share details? I am thinking of using it on a 15X60 LeBlond. What size is your Mori Seiki?

I think it’s a 15”.

Pm me so I don’t forget, I have the order on my home computer.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I still think the whole debate about tools has a lot to do with instant vs deferred gratification.
Then throw in a bunch of consumerism and maybe even patriotism (or lack there of)into the mix.
What I do in my shop does not have a deadline for when it has to be done so if I have a need for a particular tool I can afford to wait for it. Get on CL, FB MP, Search Tempest and the 8 or 10 auction sites I follow for one.
Same thing with hand tools. I live less than a mile from a Harbor Freight and simply do not buy anything there - or Menards, Home Depot, et al.
I would rather find a good used Thorsen, Proto, Williams, Owatonna or Craftsman - even if I have to wait and pay more for it.
And lastly, I take into account the geopolitical ramifications of what I buy and simply do not buy things from China.
I am NOT saying everyone has to think and do as I do but I am unabashed enough to believe that we as a society would be better of if more people did.

 

[jwmay]

I guess I deal with the wrong successful, talented, professional machinists: the ones I know (and have known) are always interested in what I had made, what I had to say, give constructive feedback and more than willing to help.

That’s great man! The only professionals that I’ve thought that way of, were guys here in the forum. Guys I know in person have usually been willing to make something for me, if my machine was unsuitable. Which is pretty awesome. But most have been pretty uninterested in talking shop off duty. I don’t blame them. Usually they want to know why I want to make the widget, and then suggest a welded alternative. Lol

 

[Larry$]

I have a few insert holders. I try to limit the # of different inserts because I've found that the $15/10 either dull quickly or chip. Spending $80 - 110+ /for the name brands and having a bunch of different inserts is expensive. But a pack of 10 will likely last me forever. I've had two import holders that were junk, soft tapped hole & a pocket that didn't support the tool correctly. Several that I have from PM have worked well, Shars also were OK. eBay has bit me several times. I tried a round insert tool holder, 16mm, & inserts from Banggood, the worst thing I've ever tried to use.

 

[great white]

I guess I deal with the wrong successful, talented, professional machinists: the ones I know (and have known) are always interested in what I had made, what I had to say, give constructive feedback and more than willing to help. They may ask that I wait until they have some time, but that’s about all the pushback I’ve ever received.

Nope, same experiences here. But I usually deal with the foreman/supervisor when looking to buy stock or other things. They are usually enthusiastic to talk shop when they find out I do what they do at home on my own time. I think they like the though of maybe getting you to work for them as it's very hard to even find a qualified welder around here, let alone someone who can even run a lathe. I even do stuff that they can't/won't/don't, like cutting dovetails. Guess there's no money in it for them. I'm also always polite and defer to their experience should we disagree on something. I'm usually wrong anyways.

Now, if I was dealing with a regular joe just trying to make a living on the floor, it might go a little differently...

 

[dabear3428]

The questions I always have when I see a post like this is why buy the cheapest stuff you can find? Why not buy the good stuff?
I don't have a lot of money. So I can't buy new, good tools and equipment.
But I can be patient, defer gratification, pick and choose carefully and watch auctions, sales, Marketplace and Craigslist for the good stuff and when it shows up I buy it then.

that is one thought but there is a lot to be said for not being scared to break an expensive tool when i'm learning. it makes the who learning process less stressful and more fun.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Just as a general comment I agree with less is better; but I am also still learning.

On my mill I have 4 or 5 different tools that use inserts and all of them use the same style insert, they were purchased that way on purpose the only way they differ is I have 3 different coatings for cutting different materials.

I use 4 different inserts on my lathe, a .25 round, the diamond shape (I do not remember the ID for these) 1 for my parting tool and 1 for my threading tools, all of which I have the same 3 coatings for different materials. If I buy new tools they will fit into one of these categories or they will be HSS.

Info on the .25 round insert holder and inserts?

Im looking for something small for my mini lathe.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

. I tried a round insert tool holder, 16mm, & inserts from Banggood, the worst thing I've ever tried to use.

What did your inserts look like.

This style is for wood and is listed as such, with flat topped inserts.

Lathe Wood Carbide Insert Milling Cutter For Wood Turning Tool Woodworking

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usa.banggood.com

This is the link I sent to Dabbler for what I believe is the same one I bought and had good results with.

Note, it also says for wood, but that's just BG being BG.

SRDPN1010H10 SRDPN1212H10 SRDPN1616H10 Turning Tool Holder Boring Bar CNC Outer Tool Holder RPMW1003MO RPMT10T3MO R5 Insert

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usa.banggood.com

Note the flat and profiled inserts. The flat inserts would cut like doodoo, but the profiled with the chip breaker bumps worked well for me.