Lathe tooling: 1/4 vs 5/16 vs 3/8

[AlfromNH]

If a machine will accept 3/8" tooling(mine will), is there a reason to use 1/4" or 5/16"? I can see working in a confined space perhaps, but otherwise?

 

[rabler]

Cost, the smaller tooling can be slightly cheaper. Unless you need to stick the tool out far for some reason, the small difference in rigidity may not matter. Of course at that end of the size range the cost doesn't change as much. ( I have a machine that will take 1 1/4" tools. But I don't need to remove that much material at a time, and bigger hotter chips are not my favorite.)

 

[Aaron_W]

Also if HSS grinding goes faster on smaller bits.

 

[projectnut]

The bigger the tool the more metal you can remove in a given time period. Just because a tool will fit in the holder doesn’t mean the lathe has the power or rigidity to do what the tool is capable of. I have and use tooling a small as 1/8” and as large as 5/8”. It all depends on the job at hand

 

[AlfromNH]

Thanks guys. This lathe came with an assortment of different size tooling so I’m still learning the ins and outs of all this.