I'm in an advanced machining program in high schooland I wonder if you know why HSS leaves a better finish than Carbide? (the insert kind) even though carbide is much harder
Even though tungsten carbide is much harder the HSS, the large carbide particles that form during heat treatment prevent the edge from ever being as sharp as HSS. Since carbide is harder, it's typical practice to rough cut with carbide and use HSS for the final finishing pass.
Carbon tool steel has an even finer grain structure than HSS, which is the reason it's the preferred material for chisels and hand plane irons.
You'd need to use a diamond grinding wheel. I'm not sure if they're made out of natural or synthetic diamond but they'd be available at an industrial supplier such as McMaster Carr or MSC Direct.
Excellent machining videos! Thinking of getting a lathe myself for a proposed steam loco project (little stuff, G scale). Currently torn between a Taig or a Chinese 7x12. Thanks for uploading, very interesting.
I'm in an advanced machining program in high schooland I wonder if you know why HSS leaves a better finish than Carbide? (the insert kind) even though carbide is much harder
cumulo25 2 years ago
Even though tungsten carbide is much harder the HSS, the large carbide particles that form during heat treatment prevent the edge from ever being as sharp as HSS. Since carbide is harder, it's typical practice to rough cut with carbide and use HSS for the final finishing pass.
Carbon tool steel has an even finer grain structure than HSS, which is the reason it's the preferred material for chisels and hand plane irons.
jlg4880 2 years ago
is there a way to sharpen or grind the carbide into a sharp edge?
cumulo25 2 years ago
You'd need to use a diamond grinding wheel. I'm not sure if they're made out of natural or synthetic diamond but they'd be available at an industrial supplier such as McMaster Carr or MSC Direct.
jlg4880 2 years ago
Excellent machining videos! Thinking of getting a lathe myself for a proposed steam loco project (little stuff, G scale). Currently torn between a Taig or a Chinese 7x12. Thanks for uploading, very interesting.
trainguy68 3 years ago