02-19-2012, 09:53 PM
Yes, Tom, there's A.R. Warner Company of Ohio. They make a few ANSI/ISO compliant inserts that fit in standard holders normally used for carbide.
http://www.arwarnerco.com/warner_catalog_inserts.html
I really can't see the benefit, but to some it's there. Given how tough some grades of carbide can be today, the argument for HSS's resistance to chipping is in many ways a moot point. The A.R. Warner Co. inserts are made from a quality PM (powdered metal) T-15 tools steel which has higher hot-hardness levels than many lesser HSS tools. You'll find that they have primarily flat-topped inserts that have no chip control features.
Given the plethora of carbide inserts that can be found for the same or less money, I'd go with carbide for many applications. The ONLY place that their HSS inserts may outperform carbide is in an extremely light depth of cut at a light feed, because there chip control may be a non-issue and they can leave a nice finish.
I ask this: Why are you taking such light cuts that this is needed? My way is to make the last two cuts before arriving at finish size be as close the same as each other as possible. Make those last to cuts (given a carbide insert) to be at least the equivalent in depth to the tool nose radius of the insert, and you'll nail the size every time.
But I digress. The A.R. Warner inserts are relatively cheap as compared to premium new, current product coated carbide inserts. Compared to what I can find on Ebay of quality carbide product, perhaps not such a bargain.
The best generic, all-purpose chart I have found is that on CarbideDepot.com. Click on the link and then check out each of the charts they've put together. The range of inserts is broad, and I can help. I have used nearly every geometry made at one time or another. Here's a little bit of the range for you:
The "gold" insert is a 1/4" I.C. size Valenite DCGT21.51-PM2 grade 9625. It's used mostly on little profile boring bars, and some small tools for external turning.
![[Image: DSC_0171-r.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/kenm10759/Dads%20shop/DSC_0171-r.jpg)
The one is sits on is a 1" I.C. size Walter CNMM864-NRR grade WPP10. It's been a long time since I ran a machine robust enough to handle that thing!
![[Image: DSC_0173-r.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/kenm10759/Dads%20shop/DSC_0173-r.jpg)
You could fit a whole pack of ten of the small ones inside the big one, and some industries such as railroad, steel bar peeling and ship-building use even larger ones.
http://www.arwarnerco.com/warner_catalog_inserts.html
I really can't see the benefit, but to some it's there. Given how tough some grades of carbide can be today, the argument for HSS's resistance to chipping is in many ways a moot point. The A.R. Warner Co. inserts are made from a quality PM (powdered metal) T-15 tools steel which has higher hot-hardness levels than many lesser HSS tools. You'll find that they have primarily flat-topped inserts that have no chip control features.
Given the plethora of carbide inserts that can be found for the same or less money, I'd go with carbide for many applications. The ONLY place that their HSS inserts may outperform carbide is in an extremely light depth of cut at a light feed, because there chip control may be a non-issue and they can leave a nice finish.
I ask this: Why are you taking such light cuts that this is needed? My way is to make the last two cuts before arriving at finish size be as close the same as each other as possible. Make those last to cuts (given a carbide insert) to be at least the equivalent in depth to the tool nose radius of the insert, and you'll nail the size every time.
But I digress. The A.R. Warner inserts are relatively cheap as compared to premium new, current product coated carbide inserts. Compared to what I can find on Ebay of quality carbide product, perhaps not such a bargain.
The best generic, all-purpose chart I have found is that on CarbideDepot.com. Click on the link and then check out each of the charts they've put together. The range of inserts is broad, and I can help. I have used nearly every geometry made at one time or another. Here's a little bit of the range for you:
The "gold" insert is a 1/4" I.C. size Valenite DCGT21.51-PM2 grade 9625. It's used mostly on little profile boring bars, and some small tools for external turning.
The one is sits on is a 1" I.C. size Walter CNMM864-NRR grade WPP10. It's been a long time since I ran a machine robust enough to handle that thing!
You could fit a whole pack of ten of the small ones inside the big one, and some industries such as railroad, steel bar peeling and ship-building use even larger ones.