01-01-2018, 11:00 PM
A while back a friend gave me a Sandvik T-Max Q-Cut parting toolholder complete with blade and insert as it was too large for his lathe.
I finally got my mill to the point where I could cut a couple of mm off the bottom of the holder to get it on center height and be able to use it.
I've always had issues with parting off but the first few times I tried it with this tool (on steel) it was like parting butter - I was in love!!!!!
Unfortunately, I then soured the relationship by managing to leave the toolpost clamp bolt slightly loose, resulting in the whole toolpost rotating during a cut. As well as the damage to the workpiece, the ensuing mess has smashed my one and only insert
So - I went looking for some new inserts but can only find them in packs of 10 for about AUD$150.
I don't have an issue with paying $15 per insert, but (barring stupidity) I'm unlikely to use 10 in the foreseeable future.
Does anybody happen to know if there is an alternative insert available that can be used? I haven't been able to find anything.
Sandvik insert code is N151.2-400-5E grade GC1135
Link to some more info on the Sandvik site here: Sandvik T-Max Q-Cut
Aside from buying the genuine or alternative inserts, I'm wondering if I might be better to buy a new blade that takes a more generic insert like a GTN or similar. Given how well this Sandvik one worked and never having used anything else that might just lead to a lot of disappointment though.
Any thoughts in that regard?
Steve
I finally got my mill to the point where I could cut a couple of mm off the bottom of the holder to get it on center height and be able to use it.
I've always had issues with parting off but the first few times I tried it with this tool (on steel) it was like parting butter - I was in love!!!!!
Unfortunately, I then soured the relationship by managing to leave the toolpost clamp bolt slightly loose, resulting in the whole toolpost rotating during a cut. As well as the damage to the workpiece, the ensuing mess has smashed my one and only insert
So - I went looking for some new inserts but can only find them in packs of 10 for about AUD$150.
I don't have an issue with paying $15 per insert, but (barring stupidity) I'm unlikely to use 10 in the foreseeable future.
Does anybody happen to know if there is an alternative insert available that can be used? I haven't been able to find anything.
Sandvik insert code is N151.2-400-5E grade GC1135
Link to some more info on the Sandvik site here: Sandvik T-Max Q-Cut
Aside from buying the genuine or alternative inserts, I'm wondering if I might be better to buy a new blade that takes a more generic insert like a GTN or similar. Given how well this Sandvik one worked and never having used anything else that might just lead to a lot of disappointment though.
Any thoughts in that regard?
Steve