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What size cutters for carbide lathe tools?

1K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  hairy 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
For you folks using carbide lathe tools, which cutter sizes for square, diamond and circle do you find most useful? It would be great to have various sizes, but I'm looking to start with one of each type. Also, what is the advantage to a radius square cutter vs. a square cutter?

I think I'll use them for a combination of spindle and small bowl turning.

For what it's worth, here is what I am planning on ordering:

13mm round
12 mm square
10×20mm diamond

Thanks,
 
#4 ·
Thanks, Gerry. Wouldn't it be pretty difficult to cut a tenon with a radius though?
Probably … but I am an HSS guy anyway, so I have never tried doing a tenon with carbide tools. All I have ever used my carbides for was roughing, and haven't even done that since last summer when I learned how to do Ellsworth's roughing and shearing cuts.
 
#5 ·
How I use mine-
Square: great for roughing abrasive or very hard woods, good for squaring off ends or making long flats. Slower than a roughing gouge.
Diamond: I use this for finding centers and in combination with parting tools in very hard or abrasive woods, also sometimes in starting beads.
Radius: Cuts a little faster than square but is prone to catching, especially if you plunge.
Round: Marginally useful for coves in very hard or abrasive woods. I sometimes use this for removing bark.

I don't think the size matters except match it to your tool size. So you don't want a 5/8" cutter on a 3/8" bar. I order my cutters from AZCarbide.com and have been very pleased all around.
 
#8 ·
Thanks, Rick. That s actually where I m ordering them from. Glad to hear you re happy with them.

I was planning on using 1/2" bar for all of them and tapering the end if/as necessary. Do you think that s a reasonable plan?

- SuperCubber
That should work fine. Last time I ordered it was late on a Friday, got a ship notification Saturday morning and had them in hand by Tuesday I think.

You might consider one of the Hunter round cup carbides. I've never used one but I imagine them as more useful than flat round.
http://azcarbide.com/product/8mm-round-carbide-shear-insert-for-wood-fits-hunter-2-tool/
 
#9 ·
I just got my first order from AZ. Ordered online last Friday, they we in my mailbox today.

I made my own tools using 5/8" aluminum barstock. I narrow the tips down and had been using the 14mm cutters up till now. This time I ordered the 15mm cutters.
 
#12 ·
I made my own tools using 5/8" aluminum barstock.
- JoeinGa

How is the aluminum holding up sliding against the steel tool rest? That was the only thing that held me back from using AL, fear a groove would wear into them.

- Rick M.
Actually holding up very well Rick. No real big digs or gouging, just getting pretty marred up and scratched, but they slide back and forth just fine. I'll try to remember to get a pic to show.
 
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