Subject: Carbide Grading

From: [email-masked] (Edk4)
Date: 27 Sep 1996 11:47:36 -0400

What is the difference between C2, C5, C6 and C7 grades of
carbide inserts and carbide tipped tools?

What happens if I use a C2 tool to cut steel, or a C6 tool to
cut a non-ferrous metal?

Other than the obvious advantage of multiple cutting edge
geometries, do inserts offer any other advantage over carbide
tipped tools, specifically lathe tool bits?

Anyone like to expound upon the benefits/disadvantages of 
carbide inserts and carbide tipped tools for the *small* machinist?
(*I'm above average in stature -it's my shop that's of modest size)
------------------
Ed Kingsley

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From: [email-masked] (Scott Logan)
Date: 27 Sep 1996 17:51:58 GMT

Ed,

I've been known to use the wrong grade on occasion (OK, lots of times)
and never noticed any real problem.  I suppose you get somewhat
diminished life (the tool, not the person) when doing that.

Now, as far as advantages over HSS or carbon, that's another story! 
Carbide will run much faster, stay sharp longer, and cut some materials
that HSS has a real tough time with.

There is one disadvantage IMHO of carbide.  It is BRITTLE!  Carbide does
not like shocks, it will fracture.  Interrupted cuts can be taken, but
you need to back off your speed and/or feed rate from maximum.  

--
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 Scott Logan [email-masked]
 09/27/96 12:51
 http://www.loganact.com