Thread: Carbide insert tools

Just managed to look at the "100 tips" thread. Thanks Jeff for starting it and Neil for referring Russ's tips, which include:

16 - Real woodturners do use scrapers. A scraper is a cutting tool, and it does remove wood. I can do everything with a scraper that can be done with a bowl gouge. It will take me longer, but the wood surface will be better.

17- You can turn an entire bowl or anything else, inside and out, with a scraper. It just takes longer and there is no reason for the tooled finish to be any different from that of a gouge.

I feel like I just reinvented the wheel.

Neil - thanks for the detailed response (someone give him a smilie, I don't know how!)

I will pay heed to your advice and stick with what I'm doing at the moment. That is, just cutting with the tip and no bevel-rub. I can't get into too many troubles that way.

Thanks again for the great explanation.

(I just ducked out to the shed to check the "bevel" on the Ci1. I'd only be guessing, but I'd have to drop the handle say 15-20 degrees from horizontal to touch the heel. Way too dangerous for me!)

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

Now that you said that, I hope you did not interpret my offer for a joint demo as a challenge to see who's best... My apologies if it could have appeared that way.

Far from it Frank. I didn't have anyone in mind, just making a general observation....

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

Neil, you are local. Why don't you drop in, I quickly adjust your tool (if necessary) to take the type of insert I am using and we photograph each other's techniques for the forum to comment on?

Sounds like fun, let's do it. Do you have a swivel head lathe? What thread size?

....

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

That's the reason why I am still chasing a round insert, must try the Vermec 10mm TCT cutter.

Frank - not sure how suited these round carbide tips on eBay would perform on wood, but perhaps worth someone giving them a go. It isn't clear what size they are and couldn't find anything in English that helps on that by searching on the code.

....

not sure how suited these round carbide tips on eBay would perform on wood, but perhaps worth someone giving them a go. It isn't clear what size they are and couldn't find anything in English that helps on that by searching on the code.

Unless they are specifically ground for cutting timber I am afraid they would be near useless. It is possible to back track the specs via the part number on the packet.

Yep, what you said. I tried the triangular ones shown in the same page and they are indeed near useless. Tried grinding them on the green wheel, but they are too small to hold them with pincers or screwed on a bar. The Vermec ones should be made for the job, I assume (risky, I know! ) that they would work. It must be a specialised product with a small market, otherwise (other assumption ) Leuco would import/sell something similar. This said, maybe it would be easier to grind the round ones on a metal lathe, have you tried that hughie?

Neil: Good. Yes, Jet1440. 1"/10. I'll PM so we can arrange the details.

Came across this Carbide Depot (USA) article. Might be what you need.
www.carbidedepot.com/wood-turning.htm

Originally Posted by WOODbTURNER

Came across this Carbide Depot (USA) article. Might be what you need.
www.carbidedepot.com/wood-turning.htm

Thanks WbT, these looks promising. I started ordering a pack of 5 of the 12mm ones for $35.50, then I arrived at the postage charge: $50! I assume the charge would be the same for a much larger number, given that the weight is immaterial. Anybody interested in a bulk purchase? Postage for distribution here in Australia would be minimal.

T

his said, maybe it would be easier to grind the round ones on a metal lathe, have you tried that hughie?

Actually if you fix the round cutters on the end of a piece of rod ie like a plate on the end of a stick. Then put the rod in your pistol drill, start the grinder and run the cutter up against the grinding wheel. Doing this way its easy to grind any angle and get a uniform finish to boot.
It does involve drilling and tapping a thread in the end of the rod, but you now have a good sharpening jig for any round cutters.

Originally Posted by hughie

T

Actually if you fix the round cutters on the end of a piece of rod ie like a plate on the end of a stick. Then put the rod in your pistol drill, start the grinder and run the cutter up against the grinding wheel. Doing this way its easy to grind any angle and get a uniform finish to boot.
It does involve drilling and tapping a thread in the end of the rod, but you now have a good sharpening jig for any round cutters.

Thanks hughie, excellent idea. I would have used it just a few minutes ago for another task: milling the square shoulder of the screws for the GPW chuck jaws. I thought I had spares but could not find them, and the screws that I bought for making the insert tools are exactly the same but do not have the square shoulder. Doing it by hand (holding them with the hex key and rolling) still works, because even if they are not precise to the micron the chamfer centres them anyway, but your way would certainly give better results.

Originally Posted by hughie

T

Actually if you fix the round cutters on the end of a piece of rod ie like a plate on the end of a stick. Then put the rod in your pistol drill, start the grinder and run the cutter up against the grinding wheel. Doing this way its easy to grind any angle and get a uniform finish to boot.
It does involve drilling and tapping a thread in the end of the rod, but you now have a good sharpening jig for any round cutters.

Hughie,

I think if I get one of the new black wheels for the Tormek, I can use the shortened version of the Tormek bowl gouge jig to sharpen tungsten tipped bits.

If I remember, I'll take one down to 's and see how we go. Mind you, I'm still on my first round insert from EasyWood tools and it's still sharp.

I think if I get one of the new black wheels for the Tormek, I can use the shortened version of the Tormek bowl gouge jig to sharpen tungsten tipped bits.

Check to see if its rated to grind TCT,if its not you will cause the well to glaze over and you may have dress the wheel or alternately it will rip away your wheel. Generally speaking the wheel you need is green on colour and is called a Silicon Carbide wheel ands it primary use is to grind tungsten carbide and nothing else

Originally Posted by NeilS

There was a very good source for them from the US on eBay for a while (seller garyet3 ) but he is not currently active.

...

I have been following this thread with interest. I have no idea how to make my own tools but perhaps one day.... Anyway, thanks for the thread!
I just noticed that Ebay seller Garyet3 is back trading on ebay. He has a range of sizes.
Carbide Insert Knives 14mm x 14mm x 2mm #IC-2014144 - eBay (item 130276180433 end time Oct-11-09 20:52:47 PDT)

Originally Posted by steck

I have been following this thread with interest. I have no idea how to make my own tools but perhaps one day.... Anyway, thanks for the thread!
I just noticed that Ebay seller Garyet3 is back trading on ebay. He has a range of sizes.
Carbide Insert Knives 14mm x 14mm x 2mm #IC-2014144 - eBay (item 130276180433 end time Oct-11-09 20:52:47 PDT)

They are twice the price I paid here!