From the course: Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation

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Lathe and insert cutters

Lathe and insert cutters

From the course: Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation

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Lathe and insert cutters

- Lathe tools come in three basic types for cutting metals. High-speed steel bars, which is a special bar stock you grind into your desired shape. There are high-speed steel bars with a tip made of carbide or diamond raised right onto the bar. This gives you a super hard material just on the cutting tip of the bar. You also have a tool called an insert holder that inserts can placed in and removed. Boring bars are a good example of this. There are also insert holders for standard cutting tools as well. The inserts can be made of carbide and diamond for long life. This reduces costs and tool waste since all you're dealing with is a small insert. If you're cutting wood, you have a wide variety of hand tools. But for the most part, these are simply steel bars with a handle attached.

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