Turning cast iron.

[G-ManBart]

I hate dealing with cast iron as well...nasty stuff. One, I'd add a lot more covering to your machine to make cleanup easier. Damp rags or newspaper are often recommended. I have a couple of pieces of old denim jean legs I've split down the middle that I use to cover the ways and wrap around the compound and tool post. If it's a bigger project I put together a makeshift stand (often a hand cart) and tape my shop vac nozzle to it so it's very close to the tool and run it while I turn/face. If it's a bigger project I'll often remove the tailstock as well and use a larger piece of cardboard to cover everything from the saddle towards the tail...the stuff winds up everywhere so physically blocking it really helps.

One thing I stumbled onto for facing cuts doing backing plates using a CCMT insert is to start at the center and move outwards for roughing cuts. This is with the tool squared up with the backing plate. What happens is that you drag the CCMT along and the chips come out like triangular slices that are much easier to clean up, and don't get in tiny spots on the machine. I'll still usually finish with a very light pass going the normal outside in, which makes for the tiny little pieces of dust, but it's just one or two passes, so much less mess.

 

[ltlvt]

I have used all 3 methods. Dry with ways covered with kitchen foil. Dry and vacuuming the chips as they come off. Brushed oil ahead of the cut. Oh yes the 4th way is to do nothing and let it get all over everything and worry about the mess and cleaning it up later. And oh yes My preferred way #5 is to not cut it at all. I hate machining cast iron . But it makes some great tools.

 

[Illinoyance]

Cutting with the spindle reversed tends to lift the carriage off the bed, leaving a gap for abrasive dust to enter. Don't do it.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Cutting with the spindle reversed tends to lift the carriage off the bed, leaving a gap for abrasive dust to enter. Don't do it.

That all depends on the machine and the cut.