Turn a steel blank?

[sschering]

OK guys & gals

Is it even remotely possible to hand turn a mild steel blank with carbide tools?
I know aluminum can be done but steel?

If not I can always turn to the cross slide and files. I have a project in mind that will require steel barrels for the pen.

 

[KenV]

L1214 and a close set tool rest. Was not especially easy (as compared to soft brass)
but faster than lathe filing. Used files for the last few hundreds.

 

[More4dan]

I've turned down quite a few steel bushings with both HSS and carbide by accident. Getting a reliable depth of cut and reasonable surface finish would be the toughest thing. Also, cutting steel will require cutting with a tool geometry that comes almost to a point at contact with the material. Wide faces will require more strength than the tool/operator/lathe will likely have. Another option could be low grit sandpaper, I grind heat treated blades to shape with sanding belts. 40-60 grit on a block with higher grits as you get close. Should be faster than filing.

 

[BRobbins629]

Absolutely possible with either carbide or HHS. Go slow, sharpen often and have patience.