I Need My Plan Reviewed. I Don't Want To Harm My Lathe.

[Falcody]

What you are experiencing is an interrupted cut. Carbide is allergic to the beating as it is fairly brittle.

 

[jbmauser]

This was a high speed steel tool, Not carbide. After the first time it tore off the edge I reshaped the tool with a oval tip with a shallow relief to give the edge it support. It tore the edge away.

 

[Tozguy]

I am a woodturner and cutting air is common in odd shaped stock. I will have to learn if tool design is a key component to cutting air with metal of if it is not recommended at all.

Interrupted are common in metal turning too. It is just something that you have to learn how to do properly. Some jobs are harder than others but generally they are manageable. If the work is hardened then you might need to use a carbide tool.