The Best Tool Bit for Small Lathes: Southbend, Craftsman-Atlas, Logan

What is the best turning tool bit for small lathes like the Atlas, Craftsman, Southbend or Logan? We'll take a close look at this topic and try to tell you what will work best for your lathe.
#turningtool, #lathebit, #lathetool, #carbidetool, #inserttool, #HSS, #southbend, #atlas, #Craftsman, #logan, #bestbit, #besttool,

[@melgross]

One of the problems in telling amateur machinists to grind their own bits, almost all of whom have had no formal training, and refuse to even buy books in the subject, is that first, they won’t have a usable grinder for grinding HSS bits, and two, they won’t be able to grind usable bits if they did. It takes experience and knowledge to grind tool bits. I also had a year of machine shop in HS, as an extra course, way back in 1966. I’ve designed and built machinery for companies for a while as, really, a side career. But before college, where I took a number of engineering courses as extra classes, I learned by the seat of my pants, with the good start from my HS course, and many old machining books. You can never know too much. I always tell those starting out that they never know as much as they think they do, and they will never know as much as they need to know, so keep learning.
I do use braised carbide. I’ve found, many years ago, that of course they can be reground. That’s the main use I have for them. I’ve got a lot of odd shapes I’ve made that come in useful way past the original use I made them for.
I also regrind carbide and ceramic inserts. Yes! You can regrind inserts! But you do need a precision grinder for that. Not a beginners tool. But worth mentioning as people move up the experience curve and want to do precise work. You can sharpen an insert so that it’s as sharp as a razor blade. Modern carbide is much better than the carbide inserts made 20 years ago.

[@donsengine3158]

You've got that right Mel... There is absolutely way more to teach than I could do in a 15 minute talk on the subject. I didn't really want to touch on grinding inserts etc.. Higher level. I used to tell all my students to always seek out someone who knows more and learn from them. Don't take my word as final. Always strive not to be the smartest person in the room. If you are its time to move on.

[@melgross]

@@donsengine3158 yup. Exactly!

[@brucewilliams6292]

I really appreciate your perspective. Often I see videos where they hammer on grinding HSS and for many of us, we just don't have the time; at least that is my case.

[@donsengine3158]

Agree 100%, You can burn up a lot of time grinding a HSS bit, and it does take practice on the front end. Its a good skill to have, but sometimes making money takes precedence. Don

[@mftmachining]

Don, that intro had me rolling on the floor, supercool man....thanks for showing.

[@donsengine3158]

Thanx MM... always acting the GOOF... Don

[@jakewhitney8201]

I have a southbend 9a. I use mostly brazed carbide and I've also found it to be the best for me. It's cheap and works great. It's what I've had the best results from.

[@donsengine3158]

Hey Jake, I'm with you. The GR brazed does about 90% of my work on that Craftsman. I keep 3 at hand with my shop made carbide touch up machine handy so I can stay on the boil with em. Thanks for following. Don

[@yt66228]

I rarely use my carbide insert tools anymore. I now use The Diamond tool holder with a cobalt bit. Easy to resharpen for a sharp edge. Love it.

[@donsengine3158]

I don't use the insert stuff on my Alas much unless I'm working harder metals and I know that I'll be switching insert shapes for different cuts. I may ty the Diamond set up sometime. Didn't that set up corm from Australia? Don

[@yt66228]

@@donsengine3158 yes it's from Australia. Never use anything else now.

[@donsengine3158]

@@yt66228 may make for a good video up the road "clumsy American tries to get Aussie turning tool to work"....

[@aguycalledlucas]

The intro cracks me up!

[@donsengine3158]

Ha ha.. Thanks Lucas. Been taking some R&R from the heat. Should be back to getting some fresh content soon. Don

[@aguycalledlucas]

@@donsengine3158 looking forward to it.

[@ypaulbrown]

some good information here, thanks, from Orlando, FL, Paul

[@donsengine3158]

Thanx Paul. I try to keep it real. Don

[@alanmuther]

lol @ the intro just watched this video now

[@TomGunnTools]

Very informative Don!

[@donsengine3158]

Thanx Tom..

[@tonypike5785]

Good info

[@donsengine3158]

Glad you liked it... Don

[@russellhunter6341]

Hahhaaaa, great opening !!!

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Great info don,👍👍👍

[@donsengine3158]

Thanks KT.. hopefully it will help someone along the way.

[@joell439]

Thank you 🙏

[@donsengine3158]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Curttttttt]

Much appreciated

[@ypaulbrown]

great intro...

[@donsengine3158]

Ha ha.. Thanx. Maybe another goofball watching????

[@ypaulbrown]

@@donsengine3158 another Florida man born and raised in Orlando....