How do you guys keep your lathe bits sharp?
- Thread starter Kamikazecuetips
- Start date
Call your local tool distributor and ask to talk to the salesman that is responsible for sales in your area. These salesmen frequently travel around the territory with factory specialists that are extremely knowledgeable about all things HSS and carbide. Here is a short list of top quality tool manufacturers that probably have distributors in your area:
ISCAR
Kennemetal
Mitsubishi
Sandvik
There are probably many other manufacturers that sell locally, as well.
You could also call these manufacturers direct and ask for the name of their distributor in your area that you could call to discuss your applications. However, the local distributor salesman is probably not going to be of much help to you since he has hundreds of products to sell. You want to arrange a visit to your shop for the manufacturers direct product specialist.
If you are fortunate enough to get the right person to visit with you, a whole new world of cutting technology will be opened up for you.
Good luck
Speedi
MrSharp
Registered
On HSS I use a bench grinder and then stone the edge by hand with knife sharpening flat stones to hone them a bit.
Also find if you keep your machine nice and tight with little play the finish will be night and day, I spent a lot of time working the parts and adjusting my mini metal lathe to turn a decent finish on aluminum and delrin that didn't feel like the surface of a record.
I just started using it to do some tips for myself and first few have turned out not too bad, and I'm pretty picky, still playing around on cheap cues trying different type bits, bonus is I was already setup with all different types to try so the money is spent now just spare time to play needed.
Also find if you keep your machine nice and tight with little play the finish will be night and day, I spent a lot of time working the parts and adjusting my mini metal lathe to turn a decent finish on aluminum and delrin that didn't feel like the surface of a record.
I just started using it to do some tips for myself and first few have turned out not too bad, and I'm pretty picky, still playing around on cheap cues trying different type bits, bonus is I was already setup with all different types to try so the money is spent now just spare time to play needed.
little FYI:
I ALSO do tile-work, I have a 4" dry and 10" wet diamond blades.
They dress up my carbide bits nicely. But since the blades are rather scarce with diamond bits I do have to grind a bit slower and use lighter pressure.
Sure beats sending them out or buying "SPECIAL" equipment.
That's one thing I don't have, ROOM for more tools.
HOPE THIS HELPS
I ALSO do tile-work, I have a 4" dry and 10" wet diamond blades.
They dress up my carbide bits nicely. But since the blades are rather scarce with diamond bits I do have to grind a bit slower and use lighter pressure.
Sure beats sending them out or buying "SPECIAL" equipment.
That's one thing I don't have, ROOM for more tools.
HOPE THIS HELPS
little FYI:
I ALSO do tile-work, I have a 4" dry and 10" wet diamond blades.
They dress up my carbide bits nicely. But since the blades are rather scarce with diamond bits I do have to grind a bit slower and use lighter pressure.
Sure beats sending them out or buying "SPECIAL" equipment.
That's one thing I don't have, ROOM for more tools.
HOPE THIS HELPS
I grind my carbide bits, too. I bought the diamond wheel from Harbor Freight that goes to their table saw blade sharpener, and installed it on a phenolic arbor that chucks up in a lathe. I shape & sharpen carbide as fast & easy as HSS on a grinding wheel.