Tipped Tools

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Hi Wolfie,

 

An ‘indexable’ tool is one with tips which have more than one cutting point which can be turned when one edge wears out. Lozenge shaped tips have two cutting points, triangular three and square four – I have never used circular roughing tips.. When each of those is chipped or blunt they are replaced. In industry or for production work it is cheaper to change a tip (or other cutting tool) than sharpen an HSS tool as well as being faster cutting. With hobby work that usually is not a problem.

 

Here is a reasonable description of single point cutting tools including indexable.  Click on the diagrams to enlarge them.  For an idea of costs involved see the Chronos Glanze advert on these pages.  With tips at £4 to £5 each and the possible inconvenience of not having a replacement when worn/chipped I cannot personally justify such expense on what is a hobby.  With HSS I can keep it sharp, make accurate cuts with a good finish on all the materials I am liable to encounter in my hobby.  I would rather keep my limited income to buy materials.  If I were involved in production it would be different.

 

Best regards

 

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 01/12/2011 03:14:14

[Terry LaneParticipant @terrylane]

And, harking right back to post #1 “My ground HSS parting tool broke”, with all due respect, and without wishing to give offense – if you are breaking HSS and switch to carbide you will soon be knee deep in broken tips.

[Peter TuckerParticipant @petertucker86088]

Hi Wolfie,

Grinding HSS (especially super cobalt) is a slow process even with a coarse grit wheel.

As you are new to the game you may not realise the grinder is a cutting tool and needs periodic dressing to balance, clean, and sharpen the stone. This is done with a dressing tool, I prefer a single diamond in a handle, others may differ.

If you know all this already, my apologies.

Good luck in your endeavours.

Peter.

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

Yeah I’d ground it too thin I think and then went mad with new machine

[Author]

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