vtuck2
XS650 Member
Hey guys,
This is sort of an old thread so I hope it's ok to respond to it.
My wife and I have slowly put together a small machine shop for our own use which, we hope, will morph into something that will make a few bucks.
As to your inquiry about tool bits and holders: Good advice to use high speed steel rather than carbide and to ditch the lantern tool post for a quick change design. On an Aloris or Aloris type (read "Chinese") tool post you can easily set the tool height with a little thumb screw that raises or lowers the tool bit to the center line of the lathe -- assuming that you have the right size tool post for your size lathe. We have a 13" Colchester lathe that is just a tad big for the Size A Aloris tool post. The bit won't adjust quite high enough to reach the center line. However, the fix is easy enough. Just add shims between the bottom of the tool post and the top of the compound.
The main advantages of carbide tools are a) speed; and b) convenience. Small lathes typically won't don't have enough speed or power to reap the benefit of carbide tools. And, unless you're a production shop, for anybody whose time is not necessarily money - the advantage clearly tips to high speed steel. Also, carbide won't take a light skimming cut nearly as well as tool steel. So, if you're trying to split a hair, steel's yur uncle.
On the down side, you have to grind steel tool bits. With carbide inserts you simply index the insert (spin it around) to a new sharp point. I don't have much experience with carbide inserts but they are typically triangular shaped, and, if I'm not mistaken, you can also flip 'em upside down. So, I believe this gives you six sharp tips per carbide insert.
On the other hand, I recently learned of a company that sells "inserts" for use on indexable bits - but they're made of high speed steel! I don't remember their name but I bookmarked 'em and can fish it out if anybody's interested. They certainly got MY attention although I haven't bought from 'em yet. Because, in a small shop environment, they conveniently give you quick access to 6 fresh points. Plus THEY CAN BE HONED ON A STONE. Conversely, the only thing hard enough to sharpen carbide is a diamond wheel. Diamond wheels are expensive and cannot be used for anything else. If you grind steel on a diamond wheel the carbon in the diamond quickly migrates to the steel, hardening it, while simultaneously ruining a very expensive wheel. Hence, the wheel - and the grinder it's on - cannot be used for any other purpose.
As to the Chinese clones of Aloris type tool posts, they're not nearly as good as the genuine article. But they are orders of magnitude cheaper. And for my money, they are nevertheless "good enuff". We actually own some Aloris tool posts and holders and I can attest they are far better made. But their price new is withering. So, again, for my buck, the Chinese clones are the way to go if buying new - and I would only consider buying the 'murcan quick change tool posts & holders if: a) they came bundled with a lathe; and/or b) I found a deal on a used one on ebay or C/L.
As to buying Chinese tooling, there is a site called CDCO-tools that sells inexpensive (or should I say "cheap") Chinese tooling and accessories. I have not found better pricing than theirs. Their prices are much much lower than Enco and they ship faster than blue blazes.
I suppose I should disclaim that I'm not shilling for CDCO, have no vested financial stake in them, yada yada... I'm just trying to help you tool up cheaply.
I look forward to hearing more about your adventure in machining.
Regards,
Vern
This is sort of an old thread so I hope it's ok to respond to it.
My wife and I have slowly put together a small machine shop for our own use which, we hope, will morph into something that will make a few bucks.
As to your inquiry about tool bits and holders: Good advice to use high speed steel rather than carbide and to ditch the lantern tool post for a quick change design. On an Aloris or Aloris type (read "Chinese") tool post you can easily set the tool height with a little thumb screw that raises or lowers the tool bit to the center line of the lathe -- assuming that you have the right size tool post for your size lathe. We have a 13" Colchester lathe that is just a tad big for the Size A Aloris tool post. The bit won't adjust quite high enough to reach the center line. However, the fix is easy enough. Just add shims between the bottom of the tool post and the top of the compound.
The main advantages of carbide tools are a) speed; and b) convenience. Small lathes typically won't don't have enough speed or power to reap the benefit of carbide tools. And, unless you're a production shop, for anybody whose time is not necessarily money - the advantage clearly tips to high speed steel. Also, carbide won't take a light skimming cut nearly as well as tool steel. So, if you're trying to split a hair, steel's yur uncle.
On the down side, you have to grind steel tool bits. With carbide inserts you simply index the insert (spin it around) to a new sharp point. I don't have much experience with carbide inserts but they are typically triangular shaped, and, if I'm not mistaken, you can also flip 'em upside down. So, I believe this gives you six sharp tips per carbide insert.
On the other hand, I recently learned of a company that sells "inserts" for use on indexable bits - but they're made of high speed steel! I don't remember their name but I bookmarked 'em and can fish it out if anybody's interested. They certainly got MY attention although I haven't bought from 'em yet. Because, in a small shop environment, they conveniently give you quick access to 6 fresh points. Plus THEY CAN BE HONED ON A STONE. Conversely, the only thing hard enough to sharpen carbide is a diamond wheel. Diamond wheels are expensive and cannot be used for anything else. If you grind steel on a diamond wheel the carbon in the diamond quickly migrates to the steel, hardening it, while simultaneously ruining a very expensive wheel. Hence, the wheel - and the grinder it's on - cannot be used for any other purpose.
As to the Chinese clones of Aloris type tool posts, they're not nearly as good as the genuine article. But they are orders of magnitude cheaper. And for my money, they are nevertheless "good enuff". We actually own some Aloris tool posts and holders and I can attest they are far better made. But their price new is withering. So, again, for my buck, the Chinese clones are the way to go if buying new - and I would only consider buying the 'murcan quick change tool posts & holders if: a) they came bundled with a lathe; and/or b) I found a deal on a used one on ebay or C/L.
As to buying Chinese tooling, there is a site called CDCO-tools that sells inexpensive (or should I say "cheap") Chinese tooling and accessories. I have not found better pricing than theirs. Their prices are much much lower than Enco and they ship faster than blue blazes.
I suppose I should disclaim that I'm not shilling for CDCO, have no vested financial stake in them, yada yada... I'm just trying to help you tool up cheaply.
I look forward to hearing more about your adventure in machining.
Regards,
Vern
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