Lathe Indexing Tools

[jimbo_cnc]

I bought my first set of lathe tools a couple of weeks ago. Got a single 12mm indexable tool for £18 on eBay. And a set of 7 with parting tool for £40 on Aliexpress, arrived in 6days even though it estmated 4weeks delivery.

Then found some bargain kennametal tips o ebay. Got a standard grade and a stainless steel grade, both at £7.99 for box of 5 delivered.

[m_c]

For smaller lathes, you can't really go wrong with CC_T insert holders, as the insert choice and cutting angles are a good compromise. The insert size is upto you, however if you're getting a boring bar, it's worth going for the smaller inserts, as it reduces the number of insert sizes/types you need to have.
A SCLCR holder is what you'll most likely be looking for, as it's the most versatile in terms of turning/facing.

I've personally never bothered with triangular inserts other than for threading, as they're not as versatile, and in 12mm shank sizes you're limited to size 11 inserts, which aren't as common.

Have a look at http://www.shop-apt.co.uk/lathe-turning-tools-apt.html as it shows the directions that the tools/inserts are designed to be used. You can use them in other directions, but it's not recommended.
(and if you're looking for insert parting tools, look at the grooving section, as APT's grooving/multi direction WDN insert tools are pretty good)

[T0rnado69]

Hi
Chronos have a pretty good selection.

yer ive used chronos before, and i see they do a Economy Set of 5
like ebay do for £28
but what i didnt want to do is jump at something and reget buying it.
ild prefer to buy two for the same price that are much better quality, if you see what i mean.

JB Cutting Tools sell some decent looking lathe tools and tips in various sizes.

cheers i will do a search on them.

Or get a bench grinder and learn to sharpen them yourself ;)

ive got three and one with green stone, but without a rest table and slide for angles its not so easy to keep the correct angle for sharpening them.

Green stones on a bench grinder don't produce the edge ideal finish on a carbide cutter

i did try and sharpen one, but it didnt seem to work, like how a professonal sharpening place do them.
why i want to go over to index tool and changable bits.

I bought my first set of lathe tools a couple of weeks ago. Got a single 12mm indexable tool for £18 on eBay. And a set of 7 with parting tool for £40 on Aliexpress, arrived in 6days even though it estmated 4weeks delivery.
Then found some bargain kennametal tips o ebay. Got a standard grade and a stainless steel grade, both at £7.99 for box of 5 delivered.

nice, i already have a parting tool that came in a kit with knurling tools.
and a fair few TCT cutters
boring bar, Radius cutter, internal and external thread
and a few left and right ones.

For smaller lathes, you can't really go wrong with CC_T insert holders, as the insert choice and cutting angles are a good compromise.
A SCLCR holder is what you'll most likely be looking for, as it's the most versatile in terms of turning/facing.
Have a look at http://www.shop-apt.co.uk/lathe-turning-tools-apt.html as it shows the directions that the tools/inserts are designed to be used. You can use them in other directions, but it's not recommended.
(and if you're looking for insert parting tools, look at the grooving section, as APT's grooving/multi direction WDN insert tools are pretty good)

cheers m_c very helpful.....

[T0rnado69]

well im getting a little confused, as i see there is.


SCLCR
DCMT
CCMT


whats the difference between them all..

im using the quick change toolpost and it will take 12mm tools, if thats any help.

For smaller lathes, you can't really go wrong with CC_T insert holders, as the insert choice and cutting angles are a good compromise. The insert size is upto you, however if you're getting a boring bar, it's worth going for the smaller inserts, as it reduces the number of insert sizes/types you need to have.

i like the idea of that, even better if one size tip fits all the holders.

[m_c]

DCMT and CCMT are insert designations, with C being a 80deg diamond and D being a 55deg diamond.
This link is a good guide for what all the letters mean - https://www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-insert-d.htm
.
SCLCR is a toolholder designation, that takes CC_T inserts.
Carbide depot also has this page explaining the individual digits - https://www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-th-d.htm however the additional sizes on that chart are for imperial not metric.

[T0rnado69]

right i see.
cheers for that m_c, very understanding.

so would it be best to get a kit, like this

or buy them singly when needed etc...

[Neale]

Well, it all depends on what you want to do!

This is definitely not a recommendation, but as it happens, I have just ordered the following. As a bit of background (so you know just how reliable or not my comments are...), I've been a model engineer (that's important - people from an industrial background often have different views) for many years, and I've recently bought a second, much larger, lathe. Previously I used a Myford which took 8mm shank tools but they look a bit small in the new machine. So I've gone for 12mm shank, and I've chosen:

SCLCR + SCLCL right- and left-hand general purpose tools. These take the almost-square CCMT inserts, using the smaller 80deg angle. These are much stronger and less likely to chip than the DCMT inserts which have a 55deg angle. I have a tool which takes the DCMT but I prefer to use this for finer and finishing work where it's less likely to get damaged. I expect the SCLCR to be my main workhorse turning tool as it can turn and face without adjustment but the SCLCL will be useful for those odd "back edge of a shoulder" operations.

SCBCR RH rough turning tool. This one uses the CCMT inserts, but the 100deg angle (so can use the other corners of inserts previously used/worn/chipped from the other tools). Rough external turning, but won't work up to a shoulder.

I'm also getting the external threading tool which takes 16ER inserts, both 55deg and 60deg as I need imperial and metric threads. I also use a parting tool which takes GTN-2 inserts.

These are all external cutting tools as I have boring bars - all HSS except for some very small home-made from hardened silver steel for tiny holes - and I haven't gone to carbide insert versions of these yet. I haven't felt so much of a need for them. My biggest boring bar came with the "new" lathe and is something like 1" dia and about 12" long with a HSS tool. I don't expect to need it very often...

For what it's worth, I have ordered from JB Cutting Tools, as I have bought from them face-to-face at exhibitions and they seem to know what they are talking about (and their web site has a neat little set of pictures showing what each type of tool can do).

I still have some reservations about these carbide inserts as they can chip the tip very easily if mis-used. I'm hoping that the 80deg tips will be much stronger than the 55deg tips I have used to date. However, when they are working, they work extremely well, and can leave a good finish even from fairly heavy cuts.

What lathe are you using these on?