Thread: Chinese HSS tool steel???

Hi Kryn, unless you have seriously overheated it when resharpening, then unfortunately the answer is probably yes there is a difference, the Chinese might call it HSS but it probably isn't.

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Would there be much difference between Chinese HSS tool steel and other HSS tool steel? I was surfacing some black mild steel, on my mill with a fly cutter, when it must have hit a hard spot, as prior to hitting it, the cut was almost mirror like, but after, it looks like I chewed it with an angle grinder. Tried resharpening it, 3 times, but it just burrs the edge off. Using 1/4" HSS square bar in the cutter.
Kryn

<sup>Putting all the HSS in the world into two goups makes it a pretty broad question. So yes there could be. If you're talking cheap ebay HSS thenits even more likely. Whether thats your problem, who could say?pictures?

Stuart</sup>

Thanks for the replies, the fly cutters were bought from LMS in the states, complete with the so called HSS, so your guess is as good as mine. The sharpening didn't allow the steel to get too hot. Will have to go to Adelaide and chase up some decent HSS.
Regards and Thanks
Kryn

Hi Kryn,
I swear by the Chinese HSS as for Woodturning.
IMHO I think it is much better than that UK stuff.
I wood have approx. 11Tools in C HSS. I can't fault it.

Then I think the HSS you are talking about could be quite different.

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Thanks for the replies, the fly cutters were bought from LMS in the states, complete with the so called HSS, so your guess is as good as mine. The sharpening didn't allow the steel to get too hot. Will have to go to Adelaide and chase up some decent HSS.
Regards and Thanks
Kryn

what size HSS you need Kryn ?
I might have some Sweden or Aust HSS here for you
Peter

I have not found the chinese HSS to be too bad... Was it chinese steel you were machining?

Originally Posted by thorens

what size HSS you need Kryn ?
I might have some Sweden or Aust HSS here for you
Peter

Thanks Peter, PM sent
Regards
Kryn

Hi Guys,

I've got some odd bits of tool steel marked "Cobalt" that are like that. If the cutting edge gets even slightly hot, it seems to become soft and very hard to re-sharpen. You have to take what seems a lot off when regrinding them after they overheat. I suspect that they must be initially ground under flood coolant. Having said that, I've got some marked "Carbon 70" that are as hard as hell and chip or splinter at the drop of a hat. Great for brasses though.

Originally Posted by BaronJ

Hi Guys,

I've got some odd bits of tool steel marked "Cobalt" that are like that. If the cutting edge gets even slightly hot, it seems to become soft and very hard to re-sharpen. You have to take what seems a lot off when regrinding them after they overheat. I suspect that they must be initially ground under flood coolant. Having said that, I've got some marked "Carbon 70" that are as hard as hell and chip or splinter at the drop of a hat. Great for brasses though.

The making of good tool steel depends a lot on precise process control. And that has never been the strength of Chinese steel cookers. The result is an inconsistent end product. You should also ask yourself, why it is that even soiled old stock tool steel from renowned western brand makers regularly sell on ebay for far more than the list price on brand new Chinese tool steel.

Do a search for WKE 45 . There is a ebay seller I got some from in NSW , his prices have gone up recently but I see he has some 1/2"bits still . Made in Sweden

I've always used Chinese HSS tool bits, only because that is mostly all that is available. I had a couple of bits a few years ago that were pretty bloody awful, but otherwise no problem since.

I get mine from ozmestore because they're cheap, his delivery times are excellent and I haven't seen anyone else on ebay selling 3/16" bits.

I bought some 8" 6mm round blanks from China a few years ago (the bloody awful ones), they were really, really awful: I reckon I could bend them just using two fingers. Gee wiz they looked nice though and boy did they hold an edge well for 2 seconds. Come to think of it I think the brand name was 'Gee Wiz'.

Originally Posted by morrisman

Do a search for WKE 45 . There is a ebay seller I got some from in NSW , his prices have gone up recently but I see he has some 1/2"bits still . Made in Sweden

Thanks for that, will chase them up. Looked them up, but no one of that name comes up, it say's not found!!!!!!!!
Kryn

I have had good and bad experiences with Chinese HSS. last experience was a part of blade that just plain will not cut at all. Shaped and sharpened nicley on a t&c grinder yet didnt matter what I did it couldnt even cut ms before burning and dulling. This is a stark contrast to some other hss part off blades I have from other sources. Its been disappointing because even the reduced quality of Chinese cutting tools have generally been suficient for my needs.

Simon

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Thanks for that, will chase them up.
Kryn

Looked them up, but no one of that name comes up, it say's not found!!!!!!!!
Kryn