Inserts

[350xfire]

Guys:
Up to now, I have mostly machined plastics and aluminum... These are relatively easy to machine and can be done with cheap inserts, for the most part... I recently got a new back plate for my lathe and the cast iron chewed up a bit pretty quick.

My question, is there an overall good insert material for machining just about anything or do I need inserts for aluminum, stainless, cast iron, steel, etc, etc?

Thanks

 

[precisionworks]

is there an overall good insert material for machining just about anything

Yes ... if you believe the ads put out by some manufacturers :devil:

The problem with all carbide substrates is that the harder the material the more brittle, and the tougher the material the softer it is. Nearly impossible to get very high hardness & very good toughness in one insert.

Add to that the edge prep - land, no land, T-land, sharp, you name it. Then get into coatings.

Curt is the expert here, and hopefully he'll comment.

 

[wquiles]

+1 to Barry's answer!

Since no insert works perfect on everything, I am down to basically three types of inserts:
1) PCD tipped inserts: extremely sharp, only use them for Al and plastic, but they work awesome!
2) Al-specific inserts: positive rake and relatively sharp - use on Al, plastic, and mild/softer steels
3) Fairly generic inserts for tougher steel

Since 95% of all I do is Al and Delrin, I use #1 and #2 most of the time.

Will

 

[precisionworks]

Like Will, I have Al specific inserts. No PCD's yet :) And a few boxes of specialty inserts (hi temp alloys including Ti-6-4, super hard turning with cermets, cast iron roughers, probably more). If you aren't in a hurry, eBay will eventually have what you need.

 

[350xfire]

Thanks guys.. I really do hate inserts! lol... So many types, shapes, etc!

 

[Th232]

I've tried to stick to as few insert varieties as possible. At first I only had TPGs (admittedly varying grades and tip radii). Then I got some round inserts for getting a great surface finish.

Then those Al specific CCGTs that latheinserts.com sells are looking pretty good (haven't bought them yet).

Then... then...

:mecry: