what kind of carbide tool bits are best on use on wood? The reason I ask is because in my experiance with carbide they are made to cut metal and tend to tear the wood instead of cut it smoothly.. Any thoughts are appricated..
question on carbide tool bits
- Thread starter JBCustomCues
- Start date
I use both HSS and carbide. I generally use a diamond wheel and custom grind all my bits. I don't like the way they cut straight out of the box. The higher dollar carbide does seem to cut cleaner than import cheapies. It is finer particles of carbide so you can get a sharper edge. Chris
Eric Wynne
Banned
Some applications HSS cuts smoother but carbide works with other materials ... Pay attention to feed rate and depth of cut ... sometimes the wood doesn't want to cooperate ... As previously stated a custom grind on the HSS tooling works better than stock ...i 've used cermet inserts and they hold up real well although I'm not really using them for they're intended application ... Never know until you try ...
Which operation do you use carbide tool bits?
Chip Breaker
I'd use Carbide Tooling only if the material is too hard for HHS (Stuff like Ivorine 4).. The problem is that most braized on carbide tools don't have a chip breaker that provides a relief and a sharp "edge", and tend to "Slab Cut", tearing the softer materials.. If you can grind a top notch like the Carbide Inserts have, to create a sharp cutting edge, it would be an awsome tool..
I'd use Carbide Tooling only if the material is too hard for HHS (Stuff like Ivorine 4).. The problem is that most braized on carbide tools don't have a chip breaker that provides a relief and a sharp "edge", and tend to "Slab Cut", tearing the softer materials.. If you can grind a top notch like the Carbide Inserts have, to create a sharp cutting edge, it would be an awsome tool..
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As someone has already said, there is a difference in carbide tooling and you get what you pay for. Good carbide can be sharpened to a degree almost as sharp as HSS, you just need a good diamond wheel. A green wheel will cut carbide but it deteriorates to quickly to get a razor edge. With a diamond wheel you can form better angles for cutting wood and maintain sharpness. carbide tooling needs speed to cut properly.
Steel should never be sharpened on a diamond wheel other than good HSS tooling. It can take the temperature and not loose it's temper as many other types.
Dick
Steel should never be sharpened on a diamond wheel other than good HSS tooling. It can take the temperature and not loose it's temper as many other types.
Dick
Do you sharpen carbide bits Dick?
They're dust scare me.
I just throw them away as half inch bits are like $6 each.
They're dust scare me.
I just throw them away as half inch bits are like $6 each.
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JoeyInCali said:
Yes, I not only sharpen them but I change their contour so that they cut wood much better. At my age and what I've put this body and especially these lungs through, I'm not going to start worrying now. These lungs are already full of asbestos and resins and a little more is not going to make much of a difference. A shop vac positioned close by would catch most of the dust anyway.
Dick
The green wheels actually chip the fine edge on carbide, and should only be used for ruffing out a shape or removing bulk material to save wear on the diamond stone. Steel is not recomended on diamond wheels as the diamond disolves with the steel. Mild steel is often used to dress back diamond wheels. For grinding steel eg HSS, CBN wheels are advised instead of diamond.
Neil
Neil
I bought a little wet wheel grinder from Lowes for about $30. I use it to sharpen carbide bits as well as HSS. The HSS sharpens much easier but with patience & a few extra seconds, the carbide can get it's edge back. It doesn't work well for reshaping the carbide, but works great for bringing the edge back. Best of all, no dust. I prefer carbide for most applications, never had issues with tearing material.
I must have bought the same grinder as Eric. Works great on my gun drills.
I've never sharpened my carbide bits. They're so cheap, I just throw them out when they get dull.
I've never sharpened my carbide bits. They're so cheap, I just throw them out when they get dull.