Subject: HSS grades of toolbits, lathe

From: [email-masked](Wm. Congreve (Sr.) )
Date: 13 Jun 1996 12:05:51 GMT

(Again, posting for John Haddy, who is receiving this newsgroup but is
temporarily unable to post to it):

I would like to solicit opinions on the best composition of lathe tool
bits for general home use.  Given a random mixture of mild steel,
silver steel, brass and aluminium as run-of-the-mill stock, I'd like to
settle on one composition of toolbit, so all I''ll have to do is grind
correct reliefs for the mateial at hand.

I have the following tool bit options readily available from local
stockists:

M2 Tungsten-Molybdenum HSS
M42 Tungsten-Molybdenum-Cobalt HSS
M100A Molybdenum-Cobalt-Vanadium HSS

         Thanks

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From: [email-masked] (Dave)
Date: 15 Jun 1996 19:52:44 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] 
says...
>M100A Molybdenum-Cobalt-Vanadium HSS

For general home shop use, M2 tool steel tools would be the best way to 
go, imho. The cobalt tool steels are better for high heat operation, such 
as with a higher horsepower lathes and mills, turning high rpms, in a 
production set up. 

M2 tool steel bits will cost far less money, and do a very nice job for 
you, I suspect. For general turning of mild steel and such, I find that M2 
is hard to beat. The only other suggestion that I have, is to make sure to 
quench the tool in water often, while you are grinding it, as it is easy 
to "burn" the cutting edge. 

Best wishes!

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From: Steve Wellcome <[email-masked]>
Date: 17 Jun 1996 14:20:12 GMT

I've had really good luck with Cleveland Twist Drill's "Mo-Max Cobalt"
toolbits.