What's your favorite lathe tool and why?

[pontiac428]

I thought I'd post an easy topic to keep the inclusive, nonspecific conversation going. What's your favorite lathe tool and why?

Here's mine for the week. The Jacobs Flex Collet Chuck. It's been living on my spindle most of the time in the couple years since I bought it, which surprises me. It offers good support and dialed-knutz centering throughout its capacity. It's in a different class entirely when it comes to work support than ER or 5C. It is non-marring. It's easy to pop out and swap collets. When I need a true 4-jaw, or big support of a 3-jaw, or inside jaws, then the right chuck comes out, but I really like the precision and repeatability of the flex collets.

What's yours?

 

[Winegrower]

I have a Buck 6" three jaw that is pretty amazing in centering within about 0.001 at any diameter I've tried. The lathe is a 14", but the chuck is so convenient for most stuff that it's the preferred chuck, over a 8" three jaw, a 10" 4 jaw and a 5C Collet closer. Plus, I really like the "top notch" tool holders and carbide inserts from somebody I can't remember.

 

[mmcmdl]

I love the SPACE when my last lathe left but yes , the Jacobs Flex collets are great as well as the Top Notch tools from Kennemetal . As soon as I get rid of a couple more things , I'll be replacing the missing lathe .

 

[RJSakowski]

I don't have a favorite because it depends on the task at hand. However, without a doubt, the most used tool is a 3/8" AR brazed carbide. I normally dress the carbide to between a 756 and 80º angle with a slight bevel on the tip. They are most used because I can quickly and easily resharpen or reshape them using a $10 diamond disk from HF on a small motor. One bit can last for years that way which can't be said for insert tooling.

 

[benmychree]

How long an insert lasts, depends on how much you use (or don't use) it, and in fact they, or at least some types are sharpenable, Here I refer to my favorite, the TPG series 300 and 400, which I got a lot of real cheap a good many years, my most used lathe mounts a Aloris CA tool post with a double ended insert holder that takes the TP inserts for zero lead angle turning and facing, since workholding is big at the early entries of this topic, I also state that my favorite chuck (most used) is a Buck Adjust Tru 8" 3 Jaw that I bought new back in the 1980s; its done a lot of work, still accurate. There used to be a company in Vallejo, Ca. that made a business of sharpening inserts, with the TPG inserts, they would come back about ,015 smaller on the IC and still function in the holder without shimming, they were ground on the top and 3 sides and radii. They are no longer in business.

 

[ChazzC]

Have to go along the route that RJ took, most used tools:

• 8mm Diamond Tool Holder with 1/4" Square Crobalt bit
• A.R. Waner 3/8" Holder with CCMW 21.51 T-15 insert

Good finishes & easy to sharpen

 

[rabler]

I'd have to say my favorite lathe tool (erh, maybe accessory?) is the jib crane I put over it. Great for swapping chucks, or lifting components such as the tailstock, cross-slide, or headstock cover. Not sure that's in the spirit of @pontiac428 's question, but it is what comes to mind.

 

[matthewsx]

I thought I'd post an easy topic to keep the inclusive, nonspecific conversation going. What's your favorite lathe tool and why?

Here's mine for the week. The Jacobs Flex Collet Chuck. It's been living on my spindle most of the time in the couple years since I bought it, which surprises me. It offers good support and dialed-knutz centering throughout its capacity. It's in a different class entirely when it comes to work support than ER or 5C. It is non-marring. It's easy to pop out and swap collets. When I need a true 4-jaw, or big support of a 3-jaw, or inside jaws, then the right chuck comes out, but I really like the precision and repeatability of the flex collets.

What's yours?

I have one of those chucks I need to get dialed in. Maybe after I move the lathe once again....

John

 

[mmcmdl]

I have one of those chucks I need to get dialed in. Maybe after I move the lathe once again....

I've had those Jacobs Flex chucks on every one of my lathes . I'm sure some members now have the chucks/collets along with the lathes .

 

[Aukai]

I most frquently use my 4 jaw chuck, so my favorite accessory is the tool post mounted indicator.. Pop it in, pop it out when done.