[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/projectsinmetal/003_-_Lathe_Tooling_-_HSS_vs_Carbide_vs_Inserts.mp3|titles=Episode 003: HSS vs Brazed Carbide vs Carbide Inserts|artists=Podcast]

In this podcast we attempt to answer the age old question: Which is better for the home shop? High Speed Steel, Brazed Carbide or Inserts?

Show Notes:

• Lathe Tools:
  • For roughing, carbide is pretty tough to beat.
  • But for the home machinist, HSS, Brazed Carbide, and Carbide Inserts are the most common.
  • HSS can be sharpened to a sharp edge, carbide cannot – it’s too brittle.
  • For roughing carbide is great because although it’s brittle, it’s tough and can take deep cuts at a higher feed rate than HSS.
  • HSS can take very fine cuts because it can be sharpened to a razor sharp edge, whereas with carbide you need to take at least .005″.
  • Tyler feels HSS is the best for the home enthusiast, while Barry likes brazed carbide or inserts.
  • Grinding carbide requires silicone carbide wheels, not aluminum oxide.
  • Barry recommends buying an AR brazed carbide tool for roughing, and then using HSS for finish cuts.
• HSS grades:
  • 5% Cobalt, 8% Cobalt? Is it worth the money for the home shop?
  • Barry says no, go ahead and buy the cheap stuff (M2).
  • Cobalt helps with wear resistance and tool life, so it’s mostly important in production machining.
• Indexable inserts:
  • Barry recommends against the inexpensive triangular (TNMG) insert sets. Instead buy a proper insert (WNMG) from a reputable brand like Kenemetal, Seco, Hertle, etc from Ebay. Why Ebay? Because they’re likely being surplussed and can be bought at a huge discount.
• Coatings: Are they worth it?
  • Uncoated HSS
  • TiN – Titanium Nitride Coating (gold appearance)
  • TiAlN – Titanium Aluminum Nitride Coating. (brown / black chrome appearance)
  • Coatings don’t matter much to the amateur, but they can make a difference in industry where harder materials are often machined or there is a high part volume.
• Drills:
  • Don’t buy carbon steel
  • Coatings are nice, but not essential.
  • Can you sharpen coated drills? Yes!
  • Buy a set of cobalt drills if you can afford them.
• End Mills:
  • Uncoated HSS
  • Coated HSS (TiN)
  • Solid Carbide – The best. Solid carbide will cut better and last longer, but cost 3x – 4x the money.

• Then Barry and Tyler spend a few minutes talking about the machinist program at Bates Technical College in Tacoma WA.

If you would like to record a question for a future podcast please call (209) 379-5309.

Intro and Outro Music by Jeremy Messersmith.

 

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