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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    52

    Default Tungsten Carbide tips

    Hi all,

    Spent as much of the holiday as I could buried in the air conditioned shed playing with my 'toys'. Did a bit of work with both home ground HSS tips and then I tried a small 3/8 double ended (L&R) Tungsten Carbide tool holder I got from LPR tool makers some time ago but never got round to using.

    The HSS tools I have been grinding myself using the Hercus Text Book of Turning as a reference and thought I was doing OK til I saw Pipeclay's post earlier this week - beautiful finish. However now I know it can be done I have a new goal!

    However in using the TC tool I quickly 'destroyed' one edge or tip trying to face off a piece of steel bar (BMS). I had the same experience later in turning down the same bar where it just seemed to 'go blunt' mid pass and the edge on the tool was simply 'gone'.
    Had no problems on the same material with the HSS.

    Now I have no doubt the tools are good quality, but the user - that's another story.

    So would appreciate any knowledge on this subject or if anyone has, or is aware of, any reference material regarding using these things. Angle of cutting edge to the work, speed etc.

    Trust you all had a great Aussie day off.

    Ian

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Godzilla98 View Post
    Hi all,

    Spent as much of the holiday as I could buried in the air conditioned shed playing with my 'toys'. Did a bit of work with both home ground HSS tips and then I tried a small 3/8 double ended (L&R) Tungsten Carbide tool holder I got from LPR tool makers some time ago but never got round to using.

    The HSS tools I have been grinding myself using the Hercus Text Book of Turning as a reference and thought I was doing OK til I saw Pipeclay's post earlier this week - beautiful finish. However now I know it can be done I have a new goal!

    However in using the TC tool I quickly 'destroyed' one edge or tip trying to face off a piece of steel bar (BMS). I had the same experience later in turning down the same bar where it just seemed to 'go blunt' mid pass and the edge on the tool was simply 'gone'.
    Had no problems on the same material with the HSS.

    Now I have no doubt the tools are good quality, but the user - that's another story.

    So would appreciate any knowledge on this subject or if anyone has, or is aware of, any reference material regarding using these things. Angle of cutting edge to the work, speed etc.

    Trust you all had a great Aussie day off.

    Ian
    Hi,
    Make sure your tip is exactly on center, use your tailstock center to do this. Remember close enough is not good enough.
    Spindle speed will depend on the type of material and the diameter, a good rule of thumb is that if you can see sparks at the tip when you are turning slow the spindle speed until there are no sparks.
    The sparks at the tip are a good sign that the TC tip is desintergrating, resulting in a poor finish and also inaccuracies[check spelling].
    You can also increase your feed rate a little, this will help prevent heat build up at the tip.
    Remember as soon as your tip sparks its costing you.
    Try these and let me know how you go.
    Regards Marc

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