Indexable carbide tooling for Excel 918

[Robert AllanParticipant @robertallan]

I am about to acquire an Excel 918 lathe, I have some experience with lathes but I am not a tool maker so would prefer to use indexable carbide insert tooling if possible. can anyone recommend any makes / suppliers and suitable sizes please.

Thanks

Robert Allan

[Robert AllanParticipant @robertallan]

[Martin Hamilton 1Participant @martinhamilton1]

Their are a number of tool suppliers in the UK for indexable tools & tips RDG Tools for one, take a look at Banggood as they have some excellent indexable tools & tips at very good prices indeed.

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

J.B. Cutting Tools are very helpful, usually have a stand at major shows.

John

Edited By Journeyman on 21/06/2018 13:53:16

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Hi Robert,

Welcome to the forum. Measure the distance from the toolpost to the lathe centreline, this should give you an idea of the size of tooling your lathe will accomodate. The Yahoo 9x20Lathe group does have a manual for the Jet version and that says 1/2" tooling, on my slightly smaller lathe I use 10 or 12mm (may have to mill the underside of the toolholder).

Grinding and using HSS tools isn't that difficult and you can by HSS tool sets already ground to shape, like these ***Link***.

Thor

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by Journeyman on 21/06/2018 13:50:18:

J.B. Cutting Tools are very helpful, usually have a stand at major shows.

John

Edited By Journeyman on 21/06/2018 13:53:16

Yes I’ve bought several toolholders from them, nicely made and good value.

The polished carbide inserts in particular are very good on light alloys and plastics.

[Robert AllanParticipant @robertallan]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I now have an Excel 918 early 2000’s manufacture. Would these indexable insert tools I have seen on the Myford website be any good? **LINK** (I was originally wanting a Myford ML7 or Super 7 but couldn’t find a good one reasonably local for my budget)

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

Robert, a set of tools as per the link is not perhaps the best way to go. You will likely find that some of the tools don't get used very much, if at all. It may be better (and cheaper) to get just a couple to start off. Probably a right hand tool (cuts towards the headstock) which will do the majority of turning and facing jobs ** Like This ** and a parting tool ** Like This **. Check the height of the toolpost etc. to make sure the tools will be able to be on centre height. Others can be added later when the need arises.

John

Edited By Journeyman on 23/06/2018 11:49:38

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’ve found this one very good when I’m not using HSS tools like the Tangential:

**LINK**

The 12mm shank version should fit your Lathe nicely.

[Robert AllanParticipant @robertallan]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

One last question for just now having got the lathe it only has a fixed 2 support steady rest, does anyone know where I can buy accessories like a live centre steady rest from and other spares? I have put a post on the 9×20 yahoo group with no response (to be honest there is little going on on that forum apart from some debate about moving the platform away from yahoo.)

Thanks again for all the help, some nice carbide tooling is arriving from JB cutting tools, Banggood and some HSS from arc eurotrade.It will be interesting to compare quality & delivery times.

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