Need Advice on Lathe Cutting Bits

ArizonaPete

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I bought a used Harbor Frieght 7x10 metal lathe last year at a great price. I only use it to replace tips. I'll clean & level the ferrule using a cutting bit, glue the tip on, and then use the cutting bit to cut the sides of the tip to match the ferrule. The cutting bit I use now seens to do the job, but was wondering what shape cutting bit would be optimal for me. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
check out ,www.usshoptools.com and look at the Korloy TCGT32.5 AK H01 #koy-1462,it's a high rake carbide insert made for cutting aluminum and is awesome.It's sharp and seems to last forever I have yet to change out my first one.
 
Kamui FAQ page has a video showing the process. The tool shape they use seems to do a pretty good job. You might want to check it out here:

http://www.kamuitips.com/faq/

Hope it helps ya -

mac

Thanks Mac. I was using primarily a utility knife blade to trim the edges and to shape the tip until I saw that video on youtube. Then I tried it and it seemed easier to trim the tip sides using a cutting bit. That's what prompted me to open this thread. Just searching for the best cutting bit to use.
 
check out ,www.usshoptools.com and look at the Korloy TCGT32.5 AK H01 #koy-1462,it's a high rake carbide insert made for cutting aluminum and is awesome.It's sharp and seems to last forever I have yet to change out my first one.

I've been using these for 2 or 3 years and they work great but they do get dull after a while. You know that you need to change the angle of cut or move to another cutting point when the pass doesn't make a clean cut on the first pass. When that angle or cutting point is starting to dull it takes a number of passes, each taking a little more of the tip off. Although it still is trimming the tip it means that it is not cutting clean but abrading the leather which destroys the tip. I've gone through about 4 or 5 inserts because of dulling but it is still well worth the expense and ease of use compared to the use of razor blades.

Dick
 
> I have an Enco the same size,and it uses 5/16-8mm tool blanks although other sizes can be used with planning.

HSS cannot be beaten for certain things. I just don't like using them for doing tips,and use the typical cemented carbides in both 5/16 and 3/8.

The cheap ones from Enco or HF that come in a box can be good to go right out of the box,but can also need to be reground.

However,if you want the best product of this type on the market,look on Travers.com for Micro 100 AR style cutters. They are NOT cheap however,like 15 bucks each instead of 19.99 for a box of 10.

There have been several threads about using the indexable tooling and assorted inserts. Those have their uses too. Tommy D.
 
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