Mini metal lathe question - tooling

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Looks like the only thing needed to get started will be cutting tool bits. MicroMark lists them for about $5.00 but you can get them for a lot less if you shop around.

Chuckie
 
Ron, I believe that lathe uses the 5/16" bits. I LOVE the C6 carbide bits from Enco and they are priced pretty cheap. To start out, you want some AR5 and AL5 bits. I would buy five AR5 and two AL5 bits to start out. You will use the AR5 for 95% of your cutting. This is the bit that cuts from your tailstock towards your headstock. You can pick up a few other bits, the BL5 and BR5 bits are nice to have one each, but I never use them normally. Plus one of the "style C & D" bits on the page below come in handy at times.

These bits are C6 carbide and come with the tips coated in rubber until you are ready to use. Sharp out of the box and last a LONG time! As you know, I have been cutting a LOT of steel and have only replaced one bit since I have been making those mills. I can still hone it and re-use it, but for $2.88 it's not worth it!

I tried a couple diffrent vendors, but Enco has them beat in price and quaility! I bought a set from the little machine shop that was a joke! Buy the ones I mention and I know you will be happy. Plus, it will save you my learnig curve! :(
Here is a link: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=153&PMITEM=383-7106
 
I'd like to put in a plug for these folks:

http://www.victornet.com/cgi-bin/victor/index.html

No relationship with them other than a very satisfied customer. I've bought drill bits, and lathe tooling from them. Reasonable prices and quick turnaround on shipping.

(Edit) And another thing, if you have the budget for it I would consider a quick change tool post fairly soon. It saves a lot of set-up time if you are switching between tooling on a project.
 
Lee:
Thanks, good advice. I was thinking about buying set, but wasn't sure if I would use them all. Carriage stop? Does the carriage fall off the lathe?

Fred:
Thanks,

Tony:
Thanks for the link, I'll check them out.
I was looking at the ones LMS has, I see Victornet carries them too. I'll take a closer look.

Here is another link for tooling, I used them a few times and they seem decent too. http://wttool.com/
 
Ron, IMHO the sets normally come with a lot of bits you will not often use, and not enough of the ones you do. For now just those AR5 and AL5 bits will get you going.

The carriage stop (from your link, see the option list) will stop the carriage at a point with a clamp that goes onto the bed ways. This is good if you are not paying attention or turn with a faceplate between centers luke I do. That lathe dog can really swing and make one heck of a mess if it hits the carriage!

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Down the road, the steady rest would come in very handy when you want to center drill long stock or face off the end of a bar too long to feed into the headstock or thru the chuck.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82503
 
Thanks again Lee.
Good info on the carriage stop

I figured buying a bit set is like buying a set of router bits. There will be bits that are never used.

I have a steady rest for my wood lathe, I know they come in handy.
 
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