Good question. No single answer to suit everyone.
The age of a lathe that size can affect it's maximum speed. SOme older ones max out at well-under 1000 rpm, so with those carbide insert tooling doesn't really make much sense. Newer ones with higher speeds can definitely benefit from the right application of carbide insert tooling, with some caveats.
First and foremost, there is much benefit from learning cutting tool geometry and how it affects cutting of various materials. The best way for that is of course to start with grinding your own HSS tools to see what works and what doesn't. You learn quickly what you can do to cut with ease, have chip control or not, and get good finishes.
Once you learn that, apply the knowledge to brazed carbide tooling for a time. There you'll see quantum leaps in tool life and cutting speeds. Then when you really want or need higher productivity and time grinding tools isn't easy to find, indexable carbide insert tooling can be the answer.
Specific to your question Ed, yes the average lathe can use the indexable carbide tooling, and do it well. Just which style you might choose depends upon the specific machine, the available speeds and the available funds. I think any machine with 3HP or more can use some negative rake insert tooling, as well as screw-down positive rake tools. Machines with less power are better-off with the screw-down positive rake tooling.
Jerry,
Your machine would do well with screw-down positive rake tooling. What size shanks does you machine accept, and do you have a specific task in mind?
The age of a lathe that size can affect it's maximum speed. SOme older ones max out at well-under 1000 rpm, so with those carbide insert tooling doesn't really make much sense. Newer ones with higher speeds can definitely benefit from the right application of carbide insert tooling, with some caveats.
First and foremost, there is much benefit from learning cutting tool geometry and how it affects cutting of various materials. The best way for that is of course to start with grinding your own HSS tools to see what works and what doesn't. You learn quickly what you can do to cut with ease, have chip control or not, and get good finishes.
Once you learn that, apply the knowledge to brazed carbide tooling for a time. There you'll see quantum leaps in tool life and cutting speeds. Then when you really want or need higher productivity and time grinding tools isn't easy to find, indexable carbide insert tooling can be the answer.
Specific to your question Ed, yes the average lathe can use the indexable carbide tooling, and do it well. Just which style you might choose depends upon the specific machine, the available speeds and the available funds. I think any machine with 3HP or more can use some negative rake insert tooling, as well as screw-down positive rake tools. Machines with less power are better-off with the screw-down positive rake tooling.
Jerry,
Your machine would do well with screw-down positive rake tooling. What size shanks does you machine accept, and do you have a specific task in mind?