HSS tool blank grades

[redvan22]

Hi,
Need to restock my HSS tool blanks for my mini lathe machines. I like using 5/16" because they're easy to handle when grinding and seem about the right size for my machines.

A quick search at Amazon for this item gave me a plethora of choices and then something caught my eye. Amazon is offering a set of 10 - 5/16" x 5/16" x 2 1/2" from LMS and the description noted they were M2 grade. Immediately did a lookup of HSS grades and discovered that T1 is the most desirable but also more expensive and M1 is a cheaper equivalent but M2 is lower in the grade listing. As I'm sure you all know it's the amount of alloy's in the composition of the steal that determines it's grade and there are several alloy's and many grades - this is all new to me as I blindly always went to LMS for my tooling and bought what they offered.

This made me wonder if these M2 grade HSS blanks from LMS were part of my problem because I spend a lot of time resharpening them. I remember from shop class years ago, resharpening was done occasionally even with all the uneducated students thinking they knew it all using the tooling.

Are these blanks suitable for me and my hobby shop or should I spend a little more for something better AND where should I get better if that is advisable?

Michael

 

[Ulma Doctor]

you may wish to look for M42 or M35 blanks
M42 is 8 to 10% cobalt- it will cut most anything you run across with the exception of hardened materials
M35 is 5% cobalt, slightly softer than M42 but sufficient for most turning

M1 and M2 are about the lowest grades of HSS, they are sufficient for a lot of materials that are softer in nature.


for me, M42 and M35 HSS(E) blanks are what i stock up on

i purchased a whole bunch of old tool steel blanks many years ago,
if you need some blanks, send me a message, we can work something out

 

[Jim F]

All you ever wanted to know, and then some.

Crucible High Speed Steels for Cutting Tools

 

[redvan22]

you may wish to look for M42 or M35 blanks
M42 is 8 to 10% cobalt- it will cut most anything you run across with the exception of hardened materials
M35 is 5% cobalt, slightly softer than M42 but sufficient for most turning

M1 and M2 are about the lowest grades of HSS, they are sufficient for a lot of materials that are softer in nature.


for me, M42 and M35 HSS(E) blanks are what i stock up on

i purchased a whole bunch of old tool steel blanks many years ago,
if you need some blanks, send me a message, we can work something out

Ah.... so the higher the grade, the better the quality and the more materials you can cut with it.
So I was right. What LMS sells is low quality thus requiring constant resharpening.

 

[pontiac428]

The import M2 blanks aren't quite the same as the old stock domestic stuff, they need a lot more regrinds. But M2 is good stuff, not cheap or to be avoided. It's standard HSS. If you're smoking M2, try cobalt, it can take a lot more heat and stay sharp. But save the money otherwise, no sense in pouring top shelf for every customer.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

i would agree, old school domestic M2 is good for many materials.

i tend to not want to resharpen often, so i get extra life from my cutting edges by going with harder blanks

for plastics, aluminum, & soft steels, M2 is sufficient

 

[Aukai]

Just when you thought you had enough information, here's some more, good for hunting on Ebay.

The Traditional Tools Group (Inc.) -- Document View

This page is about working with traditional tools.

www.tttg.org.au

 

[redvan22]

Excellent advise everyone, thank you
M2 it is for me and my hobby shop.

BTW, what do YOU use to grind HSS?

 

[redvan22]

Just when you thought you had enough information, here's some more, good for hunting on Ebay.

The Traditional Tools Group (Inc.) -- Document View

This page is about working with traditional tools.

www.tttg.org.au

Excellent, love reading in terms I can understand, not being a professional machinist.
Thank you.

 

[redvan22]

All you ever wanted to know, and then some.

Crucible High Speed Steels for Cutting Tools

Lots of information here, thank you.