Thread: Steel for making your own carbide tools?

No idea where you are Viking code, but you also have Steelmark Eagle & Globe in Westall 95492666. It looks like you can get yourself some lengths from oldgreybeard now anyhow.
Attaching your cutting tip using a screw would be the best way as you can then easily rotate it when blunt or replace it. This way, no heat is involved that would change the tensile strength.
The main problem with mild steel is that it will vibrate due to its lack of tensile strength. I guess this could lead to fatigue failure over a long period of time, if you persisted with it that long.

I made a couple of the larger carbide cutters last year using 1/2" square bar I found at the local hardware store (not stainless steel just regular cold rolled steel). It's plenty strong enough for turning and easy to work with (grinding the end and tapping some threads for the cutter). Made the handles from some hard maple and they are really solid. I can post pictures later if you are interested.

If you do a search I have several articles on making your own hollowing tools. Plus one on a brief description of the type of tungsten carbide tips that are generally around.

With the recent new format for the forum, I 'm hopeless at finding anything.

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

Neil's photo proves the point that 12mm sq Stainless can do the job.
Bob

It kinda depends on the over hang, I tend to go up a size 13mm or 14,16 if its available.

But if look around for old linear bearing shafts they are either flame or induction hardened. Then ground and some are hard chromed to boot. These make excellent hollowing bars, the hardness is not a problem as you can localize the hardness by applying heat to area you want to cut or drill. Generally if you get it to a deep blue your on your way if not then cherry red and let it cool down.

Originally Posted by hughie

It kinda depends on the over hang, I tend to go up a size 13mm or 14,16 if its available.

I defer to Hughie on all such matters.

Originally Posted by NeilS

I defer to Hughie on all such matters.

My friend you are most kind.

The Frugal Woodturner is still being sold:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1565234340/...l_6ayztyski7_b

I looked up the safety of the ebookee site, read comments below and make your own choice:

https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/ebookee.org#page-1

I think it is better to get the book from the library or buy a new or used copy.

Ernie is still teaching: http://www.conoverworkshops.com/wwprivate.shtml

Those of us who are trying to make our fortune turning, need all the help we can get.

BUY THE BOOK!!

For cutters, rather than buying original 'Easy' or 'Sorby' etc, this guys prices are hard to beat:
http://azcarbide.com/

To use them on a Sorby Turnmaster, the tool head needs to be modified slightly, but they fit the other brands without mods. I have a round one on an Easy Finisher, and it cuts as well as the original cutter.
A touch-up with a diamond hone after each use is well worthwhile, too, regardless of brand. Makes a huge difference. A properly sharpened cutter leaves a surprisingly clean surface.

Originally Posted by VikingCode

And its not like there aren't commercial carbide tools with round bars (Sorby TurnMaster .....)

The Turnmaster is a 3/4" round rod, but it's machined flat on the bottom along the section that contacts the toolrest.
(The head unscrews and is indexed to tilt 45 degrees in either direction for shear scraping.)

Personally, I'd much prefer flat-bottomed shafts. One less thing to keep an eye on.

you can also buy stainless steel for make a keyway form bolt suppliers in either metric or imperial in all different sizes and is in 300mm lengths

regards
penguin

Originally Posted by VikingCode

Some people I've seen use tubing, while others warn against using mild steel as it is "prone to stress fractures".

For what it is worth, I have made numerous turning tools, mostly scraper type, from mild steel. These have had pieces of machine hack saw blade silver soldered to the top for the cutting edge. The size of the mild steel varied from 35mm x 10mm to 12mm x 12mm. I have not had any evidence if fatigue or fracturing over a period of 20 years.

Jim

Hi guys, illness in the family has prevented me from pursuing this further in the last week. Yay chemo and such. And then unrelated, I lost my voice a bit over a week ago and it still hasn't returned in force so it sounds like I'm gargling marbles when I'm on the phone! If only the suppliers I'd found could answer emails

Originally Posted by NeilS

This is what I mean by 'a good workout'... it's the root ball of an apple tree that I turned the other day. For size comparison, it is hanging off a 5" chuck. The 12mm sq shaft had no problems with roughing that down. Can't say the same for the TC tip that had to deal with all the dirt and stone inclusions...

Yeah, okay, I guess that'd be ok Thats bigger than anything we've tackled so far, so I think that'd "just" do the trick.

Originally Posted by hughie

I would avoid going to Bohlers as they tend to be the dearest steel merchants around, do a Google search of your local area or city, in Sydney we have Edcon Steel as one of the cheapest and they will sell by the metre. I generally buy a couple of metres at a time of 4140

There are a couple in the local area that have mild steel, one that has stainless, but the vast majority are all in Dandenong/right near Bohlers (which is too far for me to get to). Argh!

(and from here is where I start complaining about the weird quote features that won't actually generate the 'quote' for the posts I want until I submit this reply)

I'll see if I can find a copy of the book Hughie/Paul39, it looks like a good one to have around.

@Hermit, AZCarbide looks good - much cheaper than EWT cutters locally, and in all the shapes. I've seen a few people order from Carbide Depot, but AZCarbide prices are a bit better and come with the screw. Global Tooling is cheaper again (for square), but no detailer/diamond shape - not sure if the geometry is any different on the rest though.

I've found Williamstown Metal also have an ebay store which *gasp* lets me see prices on the internet. And (decent) delivery rates. Who would have thought that could be a thing in this day and age!? While they're stainless length is 300mm, I'll shoot through an email to see if they've got anything longer (and 316).

Originally Posted by VikingCode

I've found Williamstown Metal also have an ebay store which *gasp* lets me see prices on the internet. And (decent) delivery rates. Who would have thought that could be a thing in this day and age!? While they're stainless length is 300mm, I'll shoot through an email to see if they've got anything longer (and 316).

I received the 4140 x 400mm lenghts yesterday thru Bolhers via Springvale Steel - steel, cutting and pickup of 6m lenght from Bohler in Dandenong ended up at $3.00 (incl GST) per lenght. (I had been a customer of Springvale Steel spending in excess of $10,000 per month when I had my business in Springvale and still receive "mates rates" for my occassional purchases)

There are 8 lenghts available at $3.00 ea pick up Mt Waverley 3149. PM with postcode for delivery cost.

Bob