Re: HSS vs TCT

zedbert@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi all,

I've just started on Harold Halls 'Lathework - complete course'. I
bought a set of TCT lathe tools from Chronos at the weekend, cos I
didn't really have a proper set. There was a choice between the TCT and
the HSS, but reading another thread here, have I made the wrong choice?

Is HSS better for making light cuts, like for finishing? I've been
running the TCT at high speed, with lots of oil, but not getting a very
good finish. They seem OK for removing lots of metal.

What kind of grinding wheel should I be using to sharpen TCT? I've
heard it ought to be a soft green wheel?

I was also looking at MaryPoppins' tipped tools on eBay. Might they be
fun?

Cheers,

Ed


Carbide and HSS both have their place.

I would reccomend getting a few 1/4 inch (or smaller) HSS bits and tool holders to suit. Once you learn to grind a decent tool out of HSS, you will always have the ability to make your tools work for you, instead of having to work around your tools. Save the carbides for the miserable hard materials.

There are many different carbide tools out there. The brazed tip tools are somewhat useful, but really need to be touched up prior to use, and I found them to be very expensive whilst going through the "learning curve", as they usually had a life measured in minutes. The only ones I now will buy are the threading tools, which I use only for making my own internal threading tools of carbon steel.

The carbide toolholders that take replaceable tips are a better deal, if good ones are bought, and tips appropriate to the work done are used. There is a stunning variety of geometries, materials, tip radii, and coatings available, and it is worth a look at an actual catalog to learn what one can about the choices.

Grinding carbide is usually done with a green wheel (specific material name escapes me right now) but they usually leave a fairly coarse edge. This can be cleaned up with a diamond wheel, or a diamond hand lap, to great advantage (Eze-Lap is one brand).

Cheers
Trevor Jones

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: HSS vs TCT
    ... bought a set of TCT lathe tools from Chronos at the weekend, ... the HSS, but reading another thread here, have I made the wrong choice? ... For roughing cuts I now use tipped tooling and change to HSS to finish ...
    (uk.rec.models.engineering)
  • Re: HSS vs TCT
    ... Then keep the TCT for ripping metal and the HSS for nice* jobs? ... here to there (end of Milling) without one? ... And, and, sharpening ...
    (uk.rec.models.engineering)
  • HSS vs TCT
    ... bought a set of TCT lathe tools from Chronos at the weekend, ... Is HSS better for making light cuts, ... heard it ought to be a soft green wheel? ...
    (uk.rec.models.engineering)