Help ID’ing Round Carbide Insert and Finding a Supplier

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi All,

I'm trying to find some inserts which I think are a type of uncoated RCxT 0602's – I'm looking for both number and supplier please.

I want them for turning hardwoods but I'm pretty sure that they are intended to turn Ali and plastics because they are very sharp and have a pretty aggressive chip-breaker.

I tried some RCGT 0602MO ALU AK10's from shop-apt (**LINK**) but they are noticably less sharp than the one I bought from a specialist woodturning outlet.

I'd happily support the woodturning outlet were it not for the £10 a pop + P&P price tag which I think is taking the P a bit.

Photo below shows the sharper one on the left and the RCGT 0602MO ALU AK10 on the right – sorry the focus is off.

The clearance angles, thickness and countersink are pretty much identical – it's just the chip-breaker depth and honed edge perhaps.

Any help would be very much approeciated.

Very many thanks

Jon

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Jon Gibbs on 29/08/2016 11:21:54:

I'd happily support the woodturning outlet were it not for the £10 a pop + P&P price tag which I think is taking the P a bit.

You have to remember they last longer on wood, so are better value

Neil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Depends on the wood Neil, if you start working with some of the woods with high silica deposits they will wear carbide quite quickly.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I've used some of these inserts and found the ones from APT work quite well but if you find a supplier for sharper ones I'm all ears! £10 an insert is expensive IMO. They sell in the US for just over $20!

[VicParticipant @vic]

I've found this supplier in the US but no info on the inserts and the price is pretty much the same as over here.

**LINK**

I think some folks sharpen their inserts. I've seen a picture somewhere of an RCGT mounted on a mandrel in a lathe. I believe the inside was sharpened with a round diamond tool in a dremel. The flat inserts are easily sharpened on a diamond plate. The 9mm flat inserts are quite handy for hollowing.

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Jon I have a few boxes of the ones on the left. 6,10.12 Ø. My ones are made by CERATIZIT.

I get mine from a seller on Ebay called Tooling solutions.

Edited By Raymond Anderson on 29/08/2016 15:09:00

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi All,

Thanks very much for all of the replies.

That looks a very promising source Raymond although that seller is not listing anything at the moment. He's probably on holiday and hopefully will be back soon.

I sharpen the outside of mine with a home made arbor and a diamond hone but it doesn't seem to be enough to get the APT inserts up to snuff.

Vic, the 6mm cutters cut in a similar fashion to a traditional ring hollowing tool and are absolutely brilliant for hollowing. The best part is that they cut like a Rolly Munro or shielded hollower (Big Brother-like) rather than scrape and being small are very controllable to allow you to take either aggressive or fine cuts.

Jon

[VicParticipant @vic]

Yes, I've got a couple of tools for the 6mm inserts. Sadly no picture but I'm wondering if it's these you're after:

**LINK**

If you find any at a good price please let me know.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Those eBay ones don't look very sharp? Scroll down for large image of the insert.

**LINK**

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi Vic,

Yes, I saw something similar on the APT website here… **LINK** and they look pretty blunt to me.

Fear not – I won't be buying 10 on a whim just to find they're as dull as ditch water but if I find any I'll certainly let you know.

Jon

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Just make sure you avoid knocking them against the chuck, i dare say, you can't afford too many accidents.

Michael W

[VicParticipant @vic]

I might have found them Jon.

**LINK**

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi Vic,

I think you could be right. They're the same as your original link. Thank you.

I think the F in the MOFN of "RCGT 0602MOFN-27 H10T" means sharp – see **LINK**.

The APT naming doesn't seem to have anything after the MO.

Jon

[VicParticipant @vic]

It might be worth phoning them up and asking them?

Update: I've emailed the manufacturer Jon. I'll let you know what they say.

Edited By Vic on 29/08/2016 19:37:51

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi Vic,

Thank you. I'll be very interested in their response.

Many thanks

Jon

[VicParticipant @vic]

Have you tried the 9mm flat inserts? Very easy to keep sharp on a diamond plate.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Jon, I had this reply from Ceratizit this morning:

Hello Vic

There is an ISO designation system used by carbide insert manufacturers that gives you a breakdown of the key features.

I have attached a flyer that explains what each letter & number refers to.

The key to whether the insert has a sharp edge is point 8, in the case of your insert this is “F” which denotes a sharp edge.

So you were right Jon "F" denotes sharp. Exactly how sharp they are remains to be seen.

Vic.

[VicParticipant @vic]

From the Ceratizit site.

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Hi Vic,

It looks as if you were right all along with this link…

**LINK**

They will supply 10 for just over £40. I just need to pluck up the courage to part with my well earned dosh and take the risk now.

Thanks for the tip about the 9mm flat inserts. I've not tried them mainly because I think I can replicate that geometry with homemade HSS versions which I think will come as sharp if not sharper.

Many thanks

Jon

[VicParticipant @vic]

I've found this page online and I'm not so sure now. It's a bit of a risk buying ten isn't it.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Any more thoughts Jon? I've ordered a single insert from Hope to see how much better they are as I've only tried the APT ones. If I can find a good source for inserts at the right price I'm sure some friends will want me to make some tools for them.

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Hi Jon / Vic, The Ceratizit inserts are the ones I mentioned , and take it from me they are VERY sharp. I must have around 6 or 7 boxes of 6 10 and 12 Ø. What a superb finish they leave on steel or any metal I have used then on. although they are for non ferrous or plastics. If you want one to try just pm me and I will fire one off to you.

cheers.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Thanks Raymond, PM sent.

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Thanks very much to Raymond for providing some inserts for Vic and I to try. I've now had a chance to try hollowing with them and I'm convinced they are spot on! Result!! ☺

…and Raymond's eBay source has come up trumps as well. 30 inserts for £30 – a heck of a lot better than £10 each.

Jon

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