Sharpening cuttng bits.
- Thread starter weegee3
- Start date
If you are using a High Speed Steel bit, just use a bench grinder with a fine grit wheel.
For carbide, you need a green wheel or diamond wheel.
As long as you know how to grind a bit with proper clearance....:smile:
Do a search for TCGT inserts and you will find everything you will need to make the switch to a much better cutter for your Hightower lathe. You will have to modify your tool holder to accept the 3/8 shank cutter. You can pick up a cheap set of toolholders on ebay or shars tool. I use the TCGT 21.51 for most applications and they cut better than the stock tool bits by a long shot and they stay sharp for a long time.
And you either flip the cutter 180 degrees or install a new one - no sharpening required!!
But until you get a chance to buy into the index-able cutters, a 6" or 8" bench grinder with a fine and coarse wheel work great on HSS cutting bits. Check your local CraigsList.com - here there are bench grinders up for sale all the time.
My 2 cents,
Gary
Sherline has a good site with details and drawings. I don't have the link
anymore, but a google search for 'sharpening lathe bits Sherline'
should find it in ajiffy.
Dale