Thread: Help with a supplier for threading tools for lathe

Hi Inventor

Years ago when I made a living as a fitter and turner, the only time we we used thread cutting insert tools was in CNC machines.

All the threads that I have hand machined in lathes have been with a hand ground HSS tool in a standard tool holder. This would be your lowest cost option.

Don't discount HSS for tools like this. Because of the geometry of a HSS tool, the actual cutting pressures will be lower. You may not notice this in practice but in small lathes it manifests itself in less likelihood to chatter.

The cutting speed for HSS is also lower than carbide inserts, so this makes it easier to disengage the lead screw half nuts consisently in the same place at the end of each cut.

Regards

John

Bucketloads of holders and inserts on ebay in the affordable ranges. Work out what you need and start hunting! You may need to machine a tool holder down a little to suit your lathe.

Thanks for the advice and explaination on HSS tools. Up until now I have been using them.

if t/c is the way you want to go .i finished up getting mine from h&f but i see the prices for the kits have almost doubled
maybe look around overseas but make sure you get ones that take common tips
keep an eye on fleebay they come up quite often
john

If you decide that you wish to go down the Carbide route,you will need to decide what style of tip and holder would best suit the Metric/Imperial threads you wish to cut.

Cant think of the correct name at the moment but there a generally 2 styles.

Single point/Full form.

Both will cut a range of pitches/tpi.

But will only cut pitches/tpi in the range they are designed for.

You may find that all the pitches/tpi you wish to cut can be done with the 1 type of tip you purchase but if you are thinking of cutting a wide variety of pitches/tpi you will have to buy a range of tips to cover your work.

Hi Inventor,

I bought some kennametal threading inserts from the UK recently. They are for pitches up to 3mm I think. I have both internal and external inserts and each insert has three tips on it. I cant recall the number or grade but I might be able to round it up for you at home? I paid $7 each for them and will part with up to 5 of each at that price if your interested. They normally retail for $8 or $9 US per insert I think.

If you (or anyone else reading) is interested send me a PM and we'll figure something out.

Brendan

I have been using this fellow for a while now, He is a stockist of all the major brands as well as second hand machines and so on.
He sells a massive range of secondhand tooling from carbide to HSS, All the holders,Attachments and well you get the picture..I am not affiliated and all that stuff, Just a happy customer..He also does post orders if you don't live near-by....

Tooling, machine accessories, lathes, milling machines, measuring equipment - Apex Machinery

Thanks guys for your suggestions.