Using metalworking carbide tips for wood?

[graduate_owner]

Hi all,
has anyone tried using carbide tips intended for metal turning on wood? If so, do they cut OK? Do they need modifying first, e.g. touching up on a grindng wheel or changing the angle? What are your toughts / experiences?

K

 

[ChaiLatte]

With the correct tips, they do not need modifying.

A general guideline to what you need to buy would be 'ground inserts' or 'non-ferrous inserts'.

They are 'sharp' and cut wood very well. Tips meant for ferrous metals are not sharp and do not do so well on wood.

Look up 'ISO insert codes'. Cutwel has as good a guide as anyone else.

To take a specific lathe insert, the very common CCxT aabbcc (80 degree diamond shape), for wood butchery, you need to see 'G' where you see 'x' and '00' (double zero) or '02' where you see 'cc'.

The same applies for milling inserts.

Both of these, from APT would do well on wood:

https://www.shop-apt.co.uk/carbide-tips-hobby-use/pack-of-2-ccgt-060202-alu-ak10-carbide-tips.html
https://www.shop-apt.co.uk/carbide-...illing-ground-and-polished-for-aluminium.html

 

[Robbo3]

As well as Chailette's informative reply they can also be sharpened using a diamond file across the top face.

 

[Blister]

I have been turning for 30 plus years and have never needed carbide tools.
Can't see the point in spending big money on them.

 

[ChaiLatte]

...they can also be sharpened using a diamond file across the top face.

I fear you may be confusing dedicated carbide wood inserts with carbide metal-cutting inserts, the subject of this thread.

The metal cutting ones do not have a flat top, indeed the top is a very complex shape. Any rubbing of the top with a diamond file will ruin them in short order. Please see below, downloaded from ArcEuroTrade for typical metal cutting insert.

 

[Robbo3]

Ah yes, I forgot there were two types. Apologies.

 

[Vulcan]

I bought a quantity of polished RCGT (round) carbide inserts for wood turning some years ago. They all look superficially the same but they aren’t. There is a specification for carbide inserts for metal working, either ANSI (America) or ISO - the rest of the World. The nomenclature, or code is sometimes not fully stated. The important part for wood turning for the polished round inserts is the edge condition which should be “F” which is sharp. Other inserts may differ.

Edit: This is part of a chart from an insert supplier.

 

[Vulcan]

I’ve only bought flat carbide inserts from this guy and the price and service has been very good. I’ve no personal experience of his polished (AU Cup) inserts though.

https://www.ridethebevel.co.uk/

Also check out the screws he supplies, far better than the Hex or (shudder) Pozi screws that some use.