Lathe tool holder and insert ?

[Rockchuck]

Whats a good brand of tool holders for barrel work. And what kind of inserts should I get for barrel work turning,facing,threading. Positive or negative. Need some input

Thanks
Ed

 

[B Nettesheim]

This one works well for threading
I like this one better though , it will depend on your tool post height on which exact one you get, a local tool supplier can be a big help.

 

[Rockchuck]

Bxa size tool post

 

[55fairlane]

From a master machinist..... most all engine lathes were not designed to run the big speeds and feeds of Carbide, plus 99% of Carbide are negative rake.
So if you run Carbide A) stay with in HSS speeds and feeds & B) run positive rake tools.
I personally grind my own HSS blanks to suit me, but if you are intent on running Indexable tooling, there are a couple places you can buy HSS Indexable inserts from , Arthur (somebody comes to mind) , an internet search will locate a supplier.
And Carbide depot. CoM is where I buy all the tooling for the shop from, there house brand (carbi-universale) is superb

Aaron

 

[std7mag]

The shop i work at uses mostly carbide inserts.
The inserts & tooling are mostly Kennametal or Seco.
All bought through MSN.
MSN has "cabinets" that they restock every week.
We enter our employee # to get an insert or tooling.

Not too helpful for a person that may only do a few, but...

 

[Walt Krafft]

There are many positive rake carbide inserts. Even a lot of the negative rake insert holders end up being positive rake with the inserts chip breaker design. I use Kennametal for the most part. I will try to get some numbers this afternoon.

 

[LVLAaron]

Introduction to Indexable Tooling for the Metal Lathe: A User Guide https://a.co/d/ashaoD6


Check out this book. The author is very active on the hobby machinist forum. It’s a good book if you’re new. Lots of recommendations and information to decode all of carbide tooling numbers and names.

 

[boltfluter]

Positive carbide tool that is sharp to the touch is my first choice. Hands down. I have no use for a negative tool on an engine lathe. Period. I can get part numbers if anyone is interested.
Paul

 

[LVLAaron]

I am interested. I generally use polished inserts designed for aluminum… and they work great… but is there something similar designed for steels?

Would love to know a brand/grade if such exists.

 

[boltfluter]

I am interested. I generally use polished inserts designed for aluminum… and they work great… but is there something similar designed for steels?

Would love to know a brand/grade if such exists.

Nope, l am doing the same thing. 416 stainless is on par with 7075 aluminum. Cuts like butter with a sharp carbide insert. Making for a very nice finish.
Paul

 

[Sniperhandle]

Bxa size tool post

That will depend on the Swing of your lathe as to what series of tool post/holder you use.

 

[Ksracer]

I like the 55* diamond DCMT shaped inserts for working in relief grooves and such. Like others, I switch to a sharp DCGT ground insert designed for aluminum when I need to shave .001 off a shoulder or other light cuts.

 

[itchyTF]

Introduction to Indexable Tooling for the Metal Lathe: A User Guide https://a.co/d/ashaoD6


Check out this book. The author is very active on the hobby machinist forum. It’s a good book if you’re new. Lots of recommendations and information to decode all of carbide tooling numbers and names.

That link didn’t work for me.

 

[jelrod1]

The geometry of the inserts is very similar to the same for aluminum and stainless. The differences are mainly the polish (or lack of) and the coatings. If you can turn the RPMs there's nothing wrong with negative holders and you get the advantage of strength and more sides per insert. That said, people like Sumitomo make some very close to positive inserts for negative holders like the DNMG below. I use these on the tougher machine stainless-es. On 416 you can do pretty well with nothing special but these work good for it too.

Edit: I mainly use either Iscar, Carmex, or Mitsubishi holders. I have good support for those here. Most offer the very similar things. Iscar is top though when it comes to anything grooving.

 

[LVLAaron]

That link didn’t work for me.

The book is titled:

Introduction to Indexable Tooling for the Metal Lathe: A User Guide​

 

[LVLAaron]

Nope, l am doing the same thing. 416 stainless is on par with 7075 aluminum. Cuts like butter with a sharp carbide insert. Making for a very nice finish.
Paul

Cool. Glad I'm not crazy. Those inserts are dirt cheap on ebay.

 

[skeeljc]

I like ground HS tool steel for turning and facing on ss barrels. HS steel makes a better finish than carbide. I use carbide inserts for threading.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Cool. Glad I'm not crazy. Those inserts are dirt cheap on ebay.

Like these?

FomaSP Carbide Inserts for Aluminum DCGT32.51 / DCGT11T304 for Turning Cutting Tools 10 PCS https://a.co/d/eZkkbOv

 

[urbanrifleman]

I've tried everything from $25 inserts to $1.50 inserts and for the most part there's not a radical difference in either if the insert is relatively new. The more expensive ones don't last any longer. I do like these. They seem to be pretty good and give a very nice finish on stainless. Then they dull up and eventually give the same finish as the cheap ones.



When I'm doing contouring I just use the cheap ones the same shape as these.

 

[Ksracer]

The geometry of the inserts is very similar to the same for aluminum and stainless. The differences are mainly the polish (or lack of) and the coatings.

I've also found that the chip breaker in the ground and polished aluminum inserts doesn't work on SS so you end up with a bird's nest.