Is 4140 the best to use....

[Sunset Machine]

(08-18-2012, 08:43 AM)f350ca Wrote: I like machining 4140, gives a beautiful finish, but have heard its hard to work with small machines. (could be hear say)

Definitely - with HSS tools, my old 1/2 HP lathe just stops and hides from it. My 3/4 HP lathe does a little better, but .030" DOC maximum. In soft steel, .125 DOC max. So, half the RPM and 1/4 the DOC means it's time consuming stuff for me.