Carbide turning tools
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:00 am
I am sure carbide insert turning tools have been covered in dozens of threads and I have read through a few here and other places, but I have some unique concerns.
By day I work as a CNC machine operator. This, of course, means I work with carbide insert tools daily. I have never used them on wood though.
What is the best tool to get? My guess is something like a roughing gouge as it is the single tool that does the most work. On the other hand, one of the tools with a more complex contour might be best as it is more difficult to sharpen. I sharpen all of my tools free hand as I don't have a jig. I pretty much have how to sharpen the 4-5 I actually use down, but sometimes it takes a bit, of time ans steel, to get the more complicated ones correct. Those are more general concerns.
Specific to my situation:
I have more or less unlimited access to inserts that are too dull to cut steel with a 125 or less finish. Some access to inserts that are unable to cut metal at a 32 or less finish. Probably more than I could use. Not the same profile as the inserts I see advertised for use in wood turning, but...
As a machinist, admittedly a fairly inexperienced one, I have the ability to manufacture basic tools. Much more cheaply than what is on the market. Assuming +/- .001 is sufficient. Would manufacturing tools that can take advantage of this free supply of carbide inserts prove productive? Is an insert that can't cut a 32 finish in steel able to rough wood efficiently?
I realize many of you can't answer these questions, but I am hopeful someone has experience in both fields. The info may be useful to others. It may develop into a service for community members if successful.
Of course, I will have to try this out to really see if it will work, but it would e nice to have some feedback on whether I am headed in the right direction or just wasting my time.
By day I work as a CNC machine operator. This, of course, means I work with carbide insert tools daily. I have never used them on wood though.
What is the best tool to get? My guess is something like a roughing gouge as it is the single tool that does the most work. On the other hand, one of the tools with a more complex contour might be best as it is more difficult to sharpen. I sharpen all of my tools free hand as I don't have a jig. I pretty much have how to sharpen the 4-5 I actually use down, but sometimes it takes a bit, of time ans steel, to get the more complicated ones correct. Those are more general concerns.
Specific to my situation:
I have more or less unlimited access to inserts that are too dull to cut steel with a 125 or less finish. Some access to inserts that are unable to cut metal at a 32 or less finish. Probably more than I could use. Not the same profile as the inserts I see advertised for use in wood turning, but...
As a machinist, admittedly a fairly inexperienced one, I have the ability to manufacture basic tools. Much more cheaply than what is on the market. Assuming +/- .001 is sufficient. Would manufacturing tools that can take advantage of this free supply of carbide inserts prove productive? Is an insert that can't cut a 32 finish in steel able to rough wood efficiently?
I realize many of you can't answer these questions, but I am hopeful someone has experience in both fields. The info may be useful to others. It may develop into a service for community members if successful.
Of course, I will have to try this out to really see if it will work, but it would e nice to have some feedback on whether I am headed in the right direction or just wasting my time.