IKBA.co.uk Messages

IKBA Messages | Contact IKBA | Bikes on RealClassic.co.uk | Classic Bike Stuff on Amazon.co.uk
Back to the Message Board

Click here to search eBay using an item number or text description...

Machine tool question

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 10, 2024, 7:32 pm

I am running low on tool inserts for my lathe - I usually by a load at the Shepton Mallet - now Cheddar jumble but the bloke that I usually get them from has not been there for a while.

No idea what grade the ones are that I buy, the gold coloured ones are usually best for steels, and the darker ones for non ferrous.

I intend buying some new tips - a few for hardened steels, a few general purpose ones for steels, and a few for non ferrous.

Problem is that all the supplier sites I have looked only sell them in multiples of 10, so I would end up with 30 inserts and the cost rockets.

Does anyone know of a supplier that will supply decent quality inserts singly?

Alternativley I bite the bullet and buy 30 inserts, if I do that they might even see me out given the rate that I use them at.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Machine tool question

Posted by DBDBrian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=DBDBrian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 10, 2024, 8:02 pm, in reply to "Machine tool question"

Hi Andy, JB Cutting Tools, Jenny is very obliging, and will sell whatever number you require.
Look on her web site.
Give her a call. 01246 418110

Brian
Made In England

Re: Machine tool question

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 10, 2024, 8:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Machine tool question"

Try Tracey Tools at Torquay..
.01803 328603 been using them for years very good.

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Machine tool question

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 10, 2024, 8:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Machine tool question"

Thanks Dave.

I looked on the Tracey website and they dont do the tool inserts, lost of other useful stuff, but not the inserts.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Machine tool question

Thanks Brian

It looks like they stock the inserts I am looking for.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Machine tool question

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2024, 11:20 am, in reply to "Machine tool question"

I used to use Cutwel as first choice when I was working. Industrial supplier, but they will sell to anyone and will sell individual inserts. Very good service and reliable (Korean) carbide, with a wide range of chip breakers and coatings.

Other suppliers included Zoro and MSC Industrial Supply, both of which also supply outside industry. Also used to search Ebay for obsolete inserts to suit cutters we used but for which the manufacturers had ceased production.

For my home use I just go for the 10 packs of Chinese inserts from Ebay - typically under a tenner for a pack delivered. They do the job, seem to last and don't cost the earth.

I don't know what lathe you have, but a hobby-sized lathe found in most garages won't be that bothered about what grade of carbide or coating you use - you won't be able to push it's performance envelope far enough to tell the difference in most cases. I tend to use HSS or brazed carbide on the Super 7 & Chinese carbide inserts on the Warco at the moment.

Nigel B.

Re: Machine tool question

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2024, 6:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Machine tool question"

Mine is only a small Emco Lathe, an Emco Compact 8

I have a few HSS / Brazed bits, but they need touching up.

I did notice the Chinese inserts on EBay, they look just like the ones I used to get from the jumble - might try some of those.

Perhaps I am trying to be too clever by looking for inserts for various materials when the Chinese ones might do the job.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Machine tool question

Perhaps I am trying to be too clever by looking for inserts for various materials when the Chinese ones might do the job.

The Compact 8 is quite a light lathe, so sharp tooling would stress it less. Quite a few on the Model Engineer side use ground positive rake inserts intended for use on aluminium on steel(s) with good results. May not last as long as on aluminium, but lower cutting forces from the sharp ground edge compared to the usual blunt pressed inserts in negative rake holders.

If you are cranking out production parts & want the most out of hefty industrial machines it is definately worthwhile optimising tooling - but that isn't really what we do in the garage is it ?

Tooling companies work on the basis of an edge life of around 15 minutes in contact. I had several customers who would only make one pass per edge, as the insert may or may not survive two passes at the recommended feeds & speeds on the likes of titanium and nimonic alloys. High value components, so not worth taking risks with tooling.

From memory the only "fancy" insert I have bought for home was a Chinese CBN insert for a boring bar to put a recess in the bottom of a hardened steel Dickson clone QCTP for the Warco to clear a boss on the compound slide. It did the job, but unfortunately didn't live to tell the tale !

Nigel B.

Re: Machine tool question

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2024, 9:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Machine tool question"

As you say we dont crank out production parts in the garage, everything is normally a bespoke 1 off, although at the moment I am machining a batch of 3 identical units - end cans for the KH 400 Spannies.

To be honest the inserts I usually get from the autolumble work well on all materials that I work with in the garage. Those inserts look remarkably similar to the Chinese ones on E Bay, so will probably give them a go.

Biggest mistake I used to make machining stainless was to try and cut too much, and too fast, which of course just work hardens it which wrecks the cutter, smaller cuts, lower speeds - just takes a little longer !

Who needs a signature anyway......

« Back to index

[ IKBA.co.uk Messages ]

IKBA Messages | Contact IKBA | Bikes on RealClassic.co.uk | Classic Bike Stuff on Amazon.co.uk

Thank you for your support...