Are all carbide inserts brittle? Dropped a detailed tool off lathe bed and insert broke. Have not used carbide very much and have no history with there use. Do not know of some inserts are more durable than others
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Carbide toold
- Thread starter Tom Beatty
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If carbide meets concrete or steel at modest velocity it is likely to fracture.
carbide tools last a long time or one drop.
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
Tom, I don't know about turning tools never having used one like that, but on my planer, which uses carbide inserts, they can be pretty brittle and, rather than deform like a steel knife, will shatter along an edge. It seems like the same thing. The cutters are 4-sided in the planer, and embedded in some other material I guess, so they hold together so the other sides are okay.
EDIT: Al answered you in the time it took me to type a less accurate one.
EDIT: Al answered you in the time it took me to type a less accurate one.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
They can also be cracked if you use a screw with the wrong taper in them.
The newer micro grain carbide inserts are likely much tougher than the old style carbide. High speed steel inserts are also available in cases where carbide brittleness may be an issue.
If you really want to save money on carbide inserts buy off eBay. Chances are you can find 10 packs for less than a single insert from the tuning tool manufacturer. The inexpensive eBay inserts will be counterfeits from China, but for wood turning you may not notice the difference. Find a chart listing insert dimensions, etc, so you can order by the industry standard naming convention.
Something else you can do if you're put off by the costs of inserts and insert holding tools, make your own tools. Buy the inexpensive inserts, grind a flat seat on a mild steel bar and silver solder the insert on. Surprisingly easy.
If you really want to save money on carbide inserts buy off eBay. Chances are you can find 10 packs for less than a single insert from the tuning tool manufacturer. The inexpensive eBay inserts will be counterfeits from China, but for wood turning you may not notice the difference. Find a chart listing insert dimensions, etc, so you can order by the industry standard naming convention.
Something else you can do if you're put off by the costs of inserts and insert holding tools, make your own tools. Buy the inexpensive inserts, grind a flat seat on a mild steel bar and silver solder the insert on. Surprisingly easy.