Thread: Carbide inserts for lathe tools

Hi Brian,
Try CTC. MITSUBISHI CARBIDE INSERTS #J97
$44 per 10 (or $55 depending on the grade) , its saying post to me for one packet is $8. They also have tugaloys a bit cheaper TUNGALOY CARBIDE INSERTS (10 PCS) #K09.

Cheers,
Ew

Originally Posted by Ueee

Hi Brian,
Try CTC. MITSUBISHI CARBIDE INSERTS #J97
$44 per 10 (or $55 depending on the grade) , its saying post to me for one packet is $8. They also have tugaloys a bit cheaper TUNGALOY CARBIDE INSERTS (10 PCS) #K09.

Cheers,
Ew

Ebay is your friend.

I get mine there and for about $30 - 40 (for 10) you can get some top grade inserts of any style/size.

Make sure they are recognised brands, as cheap ones are probably made in India and won't handle interrupted cuts etc very well.

Just monitor the market and buy them as they appear at a good price.

I have bought many of mine from a guy in Tasmania, he may still be listing.

Huge difference in quality levels of inserts, so buy wisely.

Cheers

Rob

Brian, this is not the question you asked, but your inserts may be breaking because of your holders. If you have the holders where the insert has a proper pocket and is physically restrained on 2 sides, they are good holders. If the holders don't have a 2 sided pocket the insert wriggles around on the fixing screw and is much more prone to break.

Generally speaking if what you need to purchase for machining is small and readily postable, you will get much better deals on ebay or from CTC than you will from Hafco.

FWIW I've moved away from TCMT inserts (bought the TCMT turning kit from Hafco when I bought the lathe and knew nuffin) to CCMT inserts for general turning.

I've had good experiences with the Tungaloy brand inserts YMMV.

Hi
I have the same set I believe and I got good tips from SEI Carbide 0247212000 Can not remember the price still using them... Ask for Shaun he is a good bloke for info.

R

Thanks heaps, Ew and Rob and Bob and Russ.
With the sum of all this good advice I'm sure I am on the right track.
Bob, my halfco holders as you might have guessed support the insert on one side and I take your point thanks.
Thanks again guys for your help
warm regards Brian

dont know if these are any good

TCMT Carbide Inserts

I use tools from this store for many years. They have TCMT in the size you want. You did not mention what type of carbide insert there are different coating for turning different materials. I think my best purchase was their ALU inserts for cutting aluminium. Last forever if you don't drop it.

I went straight to indexable tools without mucking around with HSS blanks, the consistency and convenience is hard to beat. I am lucky I didn't have to cut odd shapes requiring custom grind HSS tool blanks.

http://www.shop-apt.co.uk

Apologies to Brian for going slightly OT, but I'd just like to add a note here because we do get people new to metal turning lurking around and they should have some additional information

One important thing with carbide is having a lathe that is rigid enough and powerful enough to run it properly. While turning Aluminium does not load up the lathe as much, rigidity is still important. Sharpening HSS is a skill that needs to be practiced as satisfactory results are rare first time, especially if you are self taught. Many people make the mistake of getting a small lathe and some carbide tools and then wonder why it does not produce brilliant results and the inserts chip easily. I did the same when I had a 7x20 3/4 hp bench lathe. It was only when I got a larger (ex-industrial) lathe that I really appreciated what insert tools could do and why I'd damaged so many.

As Brian suggests, several members here on the forum have had success with the diamond tool holder and because good inserts and insert tooling can be expensive, this is probably a better way to go when learning if you have trouble sharpening HSS. HSS is tougher so it will save a lot of chipped inserts - and just about any chip will degrade the cutting action of an insert.

Please note that this is a generic comment and does not take into account the equipment, skills or abilities of a user. There is bound to be someone who has produced good results by doing the opposite of what I've said. For the majority of us though, the comments hold true.

Michael