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I don't necessarily think that people feel carbide inserts are a necessity. It's more of a choice people make. There's more to it than just the money aspect.
Ed
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I'm not sure it is that simple Tom.
I can and have ground HSS tools. However, I get 1 day a week in my shop and I would rather spend that time making the part, than standing at the grinder making the tool to make the part.
Additionally, HSS blanks are not easy to find here and are expensive when they can be found. I had planned to pick some up when I was in the US last year but ran out of time.
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(02-14-2014, 07:17 PM)Mayhem Wrote: I'm not sure it is that simple Tom.
I can and have ground HSS tools. However, I get 1 day a week in my shop and I would rather spend that time making the part, than standing at the grinder making the tool to make the part.
The sad truth is I have a bunch of untouched HSS blanks. I only have a few cutters that I have ground already. I don't mind touching up and sharpening those on my carbide grinder, but I don't want to rough out new cutters on it.
If I had the space to have 4 different grinders permanently in place it would be a different story. It's just too quick and easy to grab a pre-ground carbide tool and get the job done, rather than swap grinders to make up a new cutter.
For any given machine in my shop I have to move a dozen other items just to be able to get to it because of the cramped quarters. It's like a real downer man.
Willie
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You don't want me to get into THAT discussion.
As a news note of community interest though, I will need to use my surface grinder and sine bar vise to make a HSS internal threading tool (bit) for a 1-1/4-5ACME and fairly soon. Yes, I could do it by hand on the bench grinder. However, short little internal tools tend to get very hot, and I want a very high quality thread form for this.
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The following 1 user Likes Mayhem's post:
EdK (02-15-2014)
(02-15-2014, 08:58 AM)PixMan Wrote: ...I want a very high quality thread form for this.
Me too
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Seems there is little or no difference between some grooving and cut off inserts. Most companies refer to them as "grooving / cutoff inserts"
DaveH