Re: Inserts in the home shop

Chris,

Yes, they exist. I've purchased lay-down style threading inserts a
couple times from a company that makes "standard" sizes of turning
inserts in HSS.

I bought the HSS thread inserts because on a particular job
conventional carbide would not hold up because of the low surface
speed I had to run at. The inserts were about the same price as
carbide.

I never tried any of the HSS turning inserts since I've never had the
need.

Someone mentioned HSS cutting edges being sharper than carbide is
able to be ground. I suggest they try some of the uncoated high-
positive carbide inserts from H B Rouse Company. I've been using
them for everything except the heaviest turning jobs. Price is good
and they're very sharp.

Doug

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., stratton@m... wrote:
>
> I can't say categorically tht they don't exist, however I can think
of
> two major problems with HSS inserts:
>
> 1) They would wear out quickly, and resharpening would quickly
> use up the chipbreaker groove
>
> 2) They would be too expesnive to make. Carbide inserts are (I
think)
> made by pressing powder into a mold and sintering it. HSS steel
ones
> would need some kind of 5 axis cnc grinding machine to get the same
> shapes.
>
> What would be the supposed advantage?
>
> I think sherline will sell pre-ground HSS tools made of typical (if
> smallish) blanks - the idea is to give the novice a model to guide
> attempts at hand grinding.
>
> Chris
>
> --
> Christopher C. Stratton, stratton@m...
> Instrument Maker, Horn Player & Engineer
> 22 Adrian Street, Somerville, MA 02143
> http://www.mdc.net/~stratton
> NEW PHONE NUMBER: (617) 628-1062 home, 253-2606 MIT