Sources for HSS lathe bits

[Bryan]

Rather than muddy Ironwood's Seco carbide thread...



I would also be looking to source some HSS sticks (ebay again but avoid the no name stuff it will just frustrate you), it works out a lot cheaper even than the ebay carbide and is a lot more versatile.
Cheers,
Greg.

Greg, do you have any ebay or other links for quality HSS? I've only been able to find cheap & cheerful or old & expensive one-offs and assortments.
Where are others buying their HSS stock and what do they think of it? Any to avoid? I've been using Ozmestore stuff and find it ok. CTC's quality is a bit variable, which makes me not want to bother with it but they do have a large range of sizes which can be handy. (Same applies to their drill bits actually.)

[Dave J]

Hi Bryan,
Try contacting Stuart when he returns, he was buying some off one guy who had old stock stuff. I has been years since I bought any so I am no help. Thanks for the tip on CTC and Ozmestore, as I have looked at both for future buys.

Years ago I found a shop that had closed down and the guys who had rented the shop found a some HSS and carbide tools, so I bought the HSS and a few carbide tools and put it with my stock.

Dave

[.RC.]

I find the CTC stuff a bit soft for higher tensile steels but OK for MS..

[Jekyll and Hyde]

I find the CTC stuff a bit soft for higher tensile steels but OK for MS..

Hmmm - maybe that's why I've kind of written off HSS for turning anything 'harder'. All my HSS is from CTC, and it just doesn't handle any of my mystery metals (all of which I believe to be reasonable grade steel, due to the application it was previously used in and the way it turns with carbide).

Perhaps I should observe the outcome of this thread, and try to pick myself up some better HSS - I had been wondering how people used to turn this type of steel before carbide (obviously it was done, I just couldn't see how with HSS), maybe the answer really is as simple as I'm not using the right stuff!

[issatree]

Hi Bryan,
If you Google " Car Swap Meets " SA, There are always a lot of Engineering Stuff at these Shows. There are quite a few, even this W/End coming.
I'm a Woodturner, but am always interested in what is for sale

[GDD]

This bloke lists Australian made HSS in his catalogue:-

MODEL ENGINEERING SUPPLIES (http://www.mesupplies.com.au/catalog.php?p=26&sn=41&en=42&name2=LATHE) TOOLS

Graham.

[denncarm]

Minitech sell quite a good range of them also.

http://wic043u.server-secure.com/vs4487_secure/dept.asp?q=&cmx=116&r=99&id=133

[Anorak Bob]

What size section can you use Bryan?

I have some 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 square HSS of German and English origin that I can slip into the mail for your appraisal if you are interested.

BT

[Greg Q]

If you are looking on YankBay the best brands are Cleveland MoMax and Rex. MoMax was made in both HSS and cobalt. They are sweet cutting steels, but they're all I've ever used so perhaps my opinion should be considered in that light.

Greg

[Anorak Bob]

When I bought my now departed 4 inch Flynn boring head, the seller packed a handful of ground Rex HSS lathe bits in with the head to bring the total package weight up to the USPS limit of 20 pounds. One can be included in the show bag Bryan.

The bits are mostly 3/8. Bigger than I'd usually mount up but given GQ's endorsement, I'll give one a go myself.

BT

[Bryan]

Bob, I use a little bit of 1/4, but 3/8 is the size I mainly use. Anything bigger I can also use. Thanks, a couple of samples would be great. Rushing off now, will PM you later.

[.RC.]

Hmmm - maybe that's why I've kind of written off HSS for turning anything 'harder'. All my HSS is from CTC, and it just doesn't handle any of my mystery metals (all of which I believe to be reasonable grade steel, due to the application it was previously used in and the way it turns with carbide).

That is why I usually use carbide.. You only need one or two carbide holders and you can either braze broken carbide bits onto steel sections and grind on a diamond wheel and use HSS for other work..

A good variety of cutting tools makes for quicker turning adventures... I will post some photo's later of my bits and pieces..

[kwijibo99]

G'day Brian,
I have bought good HSS on ebay but not generally from any particular seller.
About a year ago I picked up three 5x packs of Bordo 5/16 M42 HSS and have found it to perform really well machining a variety of materials from EN36 though to magical mystery steel, so I can happily reccomend it.
I have also had good results with Sutton and P&N (same company these days I think) and I have some Dormer 3/16 round which is really good for cutting fine threads (I got this from a local market).
I did buy some cheap stuff once but found it useless, it was dificult to get sharp and wore out in no time. I reckon a lot of people get turned away from HSS because they haven't tried quality stuff.
When I was looking I would just do a search on "HSS -drill" and look through what came up.
I havn't bought any of the lots of used stuff that come up as you can never be sure what you are getting but as long as there are some useable lengths and it goes cheap enough it's probably worth a go.
You do have to laugh though at the occasional lot made up of 20 1" stubs of old HSS and the seller has a $30.00 starting price, you have gotta love an optimist.
Try your local junk market too as I have got a lot of good tooling from these and you save on postage.
Cheers,
Greg.

[Stustoys]

Try contacting Stuart when he returns, he was buying some off one guy who had old stock stuff.

Can't help, its 5/16 and he isnt listing it anymore.

Stuart

[Ueee]

Like most of you probably do, i have a range of used HSS, some which cut well, others are just crap. I have also bought Seco and Dormer bits new, the Seco is good but the Dormer is the best i've tried. I do have several used bits though that i just keep going back to as they always seem to cut sweetly:U. Unfortunately no names.:no:

[aametalmaster]

I save broken thread taps to use for cutting tools. They can be ground to any shape and that thing we learned in grade school that a round peg won't fit a square hole is wrong they fit just fine. And if you need a specail holder one can be made from flat stock and a round hole drilled to fit the tap body. This way i don't waste all of my HSS sq bits for a tool that i might only use one or two times like for a groove...Bob

[eskimo]

you can either braze broken carbide bits onto steel sections and grind on a diamond wheel

another good idea I will try and remember:2tsup:.....maybe I should go and make one now.... it will always be visible and remind me that I can make them using the old inserts?

[welder]

i buy all my hss from markets and ebay. today i lucked out i went to the local markets and found a box of 8 3/4" bohler c55 special hss sticks :D:D