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Tooling question

P

Patsdeere

Well-known Member
So I'm starting to get into some lathe and mill work. Teaching myself as I go. Picked up a steam engine casting kit to build. Figure I need something better than harbor freight carbide cutting tools. Obviously I'll be boring a flywheel, making bearings etc. Any suggestions on a decent starting setup of tooling? Figuring some boring bars, a parting tool, maybe carbide insert cutting holder.

Thanks.
 
A few years ago I bought tooling from Wholesale Tool in Oklahoma I do not know if they are still in business of if they have a web site.
 
Look for auctions of machine shops going out of business. If there are any used machinery dealers in your area take a trip. They often have boxes of tooling to pick through. You don't really need carbide. Get some HSS tool bits and you'll learn to grind them to your needs.
 
My experience is that larval machinists generally develop more completely if they start with High-Speed Steel (HSS) cutting tools. This has been especially true at the lathe; learning to grind and hone/polish HSS toolbits really helps the learner to understand the effects of different cutting-tool geometries.
 
I use a set of indexable carbide cutters like the set below (first thing that popped up on Amazon, but there's plenty of other vendors with substantially identical sets) on my mini-lathe and have had good service from them. To each their own, but I use carbide on everything I can--yes, I can certainly grind bits if necessary, but I'd rather spend my time making parts, and only grind a specialty bit if I need a particular profile or some other oddball requirement.
indexable carbide toolholders
 
I believe time is better spent learning how to use the cutters versus learning how to sharpen. There are so many tools out there with replaceable tips that are becoming the common place. I do not think my local shopper is planning to continue stocking the old tooling, as his demand is almost non existent.
 
I would say I'm close to you. I built a scale hay press from standard steel pieces. However, those are a lot less precise than a steam engine.
 
McMaster Carr Or MSC Industrial both carry quality tooling. Mcmaster Carr has next day shipping.
 
I agree with John Garner about learning to use and grind high speed tools. You may want to look on ebay for good deals.

I have run a machine shop for 40 + years and have more tools then one can shake a stick at. Contemplating how to get a little back on my investment.
 
I agree. Learning to grind tool bits is a trial and error process and I've found that on too many of my projects I can't afford an "error" where something has to be done right the first time or be ruined.
 
Do a search for " Diamond Tool Holder" .A must have cutting tool holder for the lathe .Cuts off the end of the tool not the side . Comes with sharpening jig and everything you need. Examples on You Tube
 
Second the Shars.com recommendation. You didn't say how large your lathe and mill are and it will make a difference in what tooling you purchase. I would start with a Shars turning tool set, pick one sized for your lathe and pay attention to the insert numbers. Then go to eBay and get HSS inserts for aluminum that fit the holders you bought. They also work great on mild steel and produce a finish much better than carbide inserts.

http://www.shars.com/products/index...ing_toolholder_category=Turning+&+Boring+Sets

Then buy a boring bar set. Again sized to fit your lathe tool holders.

http://www.shars.com/products/indexable-cutting/boring-bar-set

For the mill just get a set or two of HSS end mills in both 2 flute and 4 flute. Use the 2 flute on aluminum and the 4 flute on mild steel. This and a good set of drill bits will take care of about 75% of your tooling needs, from there you can add stuff as it is needed for the job at hand.
 
X3 on Shars and the items you suggest are right on. Also purchase a quick change tool post of the lathe. The imported tooling is just fine for home shop use as long as a person stays away from the bottom end.
 

It all depends on what you have for equipment. If you have a light duty Lathe/Mill combo or an Atlas or something like that, go with HSS and look at the stuff "Little Machine Shop dot com" has. Bigger stuff is stiff enough for carbide, but HSS is still very, very viable. Agree about learning to grin your own tools.
 
You might want to add some reamers to your wish list also. This my steam engine project,maybe 20 dollars in bras fittings,the rest was just scrap iron.
 

Get your measuring stuff squared away first. I've been messing around with a mill or lathe 50 years, but I found out about back plunger dial indicators just last year. They are great to sweep the mill table, the dial is facing up, so I don't have to squat down to see a regular indicator. I bought a used Starrett kit for $100 on ebay....

Videos will give you a lot more info than any book, I got a bunch of books, but if you need to do something special, find a vid.
 
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