Please watch this video if you are having any questions about which insert fits which tool. It’s a little impromtu but is very informative.There are new tools coming on the market all the time and our inserts fit a vast majority of them. We’ve created the cross reference chart to make it easy to find which size fits your tool. Of course if you still have questions, please feel free to call or contact us with any questions!
In our ongoing efforts to introduce and inform newcomers to woodturning we are going to discuss a few basic principles related to the different shaped carbide inserts for woodturning projects. Although this entry may read much like our recent posts on diamond and square, it is geared to be a useful and educational outline for newcomers to woodturning. Admittedly, we’re also working on our SEO rankings, but don’t let that discourage you from reading further. Round carbide inserts have a specific use on the lathe and in your tool box. Basically, round inserts are great for curves and rounding and even hollowing small forms. They are most commonly used for finishing and detail work. There are many youtube vids on woodturners demonstrating techniques. Round carbide inserts come in a variety sizes and cutting angles to fit many different tools, especially our popular AZ Carbide Hollowing systems including the Little Hogger and Pro Hogger. AZ carbide carries not only it’s own inserts but makes a square insert to fit the Carter , Rikon and other custom tool lines.
Carbide provides better rigidity than steel. Carbide is tough and extremely heat resistant and used for high speed applications on the lathe. Carbide itself has enjoyed a long and popular reputation of being a longer lasting and stronger with most applications of carbide tools being for cutting. Everything from saw blades to ball point pens have a sharper longer lasting edge. Carbide tips do eventually dull. Sharpening uses the same techniques as tool steel, but because they are so hard, you use a different abrasive. Something coated in diamond or carbide abrasion wheel is commonplace. However, the beauty of carbide is that they are affordable, and can be thrown out when dull. Many woodturners use a combination of both carbide and steel. Check out the blog where we weigh in on that here.
In our ongoing efforts to introduce and inform newcomers to woodturning we are going to discuss a few basic principles related to the different shaped carbide inserts for woodturning projects. Square carbide inserts have a specific use on the lathe and in your tool box. Basically, square inserts are great for roughing out work. They come in a variety sizes and cutting angles to fit many different tools. AZ carbide carries not only it’s own inserts but makes a square insert to fit the Carter , Rikon and other custom tool lines.
Carbide is a binary compound of carbon with an element of lower or comparable electronegativity. Solid carbide provides better rigidity than steel. Carbide is tough and extremely heat resistant and used for high speed applications on nonferrous materials, plastics and, other project material that is tough on machinery including the lathe. Carbide itself has enjoyed a long and popular reputation of being a longer lasting and stronger with most applications of carbide tools being for cutting. Everything from saw blades to ball point pens have a sharper longer lasting edge. Well, maybe the pens aren’t sharper than our inserts! Carbide tips do eventually dull. Sharpening uses the same techniques as tool steel, but because they are so hard, you use a different abrasive. Something coated in diamond or carbide abrasion wheel is commonplace. However, the beauty of carbide is that they are affordable, and can be thrown out when dull. An additional advantage to square inserts is that you can flip the sides 4 times before replacing. The alternative is to use and repeatedly sharpen old school steel tools/ handles. Many woodturners use a combination of both. Check out the blog where we weigh in on that here.
Carbide tools have been a controversy since they were introduced. Old-timers slam them as they don’t teach you how to turn with traditional tools.
Trout fishing has long had this conversation regarding fly fishing and using bait. Those who fly fish look down upon those who use bait. I have done both. If I want to relax and eat trout that evening I use bait. If I am out for fun I take my grandfathers old bamboo rod and fly fish
Well Carbide hand tools and traditionalist have this discussion almost daily on social media. If there was one tool that could do everything there would not be such a large number of tools on the market today and someone, the inventor of that universal tool would be very wealthy
Most of our customers are older retirees on fixed incomes. They have a smaller lathe and are learning to turn. Some of our customers are youngsters that are learning to turn pens. This it is their first experience turning. Their parents may not have the money for traditional tools that are going to require a sharpening station.
We also have many turners with disabilities. A couple of years ago life long friend Dave Hinkelman spent a week here with us in Michigan. He had never turned. In grade school he suffered from Polio. One leg would not recover and he has struggled his entire live just getting around. Before he left Michigan he had ordered a lathe. He turns much of the time from a wheel chair. This does not give him the ability to dance at the lathe. Carbide tools have allowed him to turn from his wheel chair and do well
Other customers that have disabilities is Andi Sullivan and David Albright. Yes they are blind turners. Andi started Lighthouse Turning for the blind. David then started Lighthouse Turning in Kanas City. They too use carbide tools.
Dick Gerard stopped by the house a couple years ago to turn with me. He is one of the founders of the AAW and continue to support the AAW. I did not know it until we started hollowing that he had not done any hollowing in years as he had 3 shoulder replacements and his doctor told him no more. We were on the Carter Hollow Roller with a 6MM shear cup cutter. He was amazed
There are many more stories like this. There are many uses for carbide cutters. The most common place for carbide cutters is in end grain hollowing. Most of the hollowing systems today come with or have a carbide shear cup cutter.
Well, the lathe is obviously my favorite tool. It’s my passion and it happens to be the oldest “power tool” on the planet. I’ve used, purchased and sold many lathes throughout the years. When most beginners consider purchasing a lathe they have a plethora of questions, then want to do research on another plethora of questions they weren’t aware of. After all, when shopping and researching something online, we all end up having more questions when perusing answers.
Here a quick and dirty list of basics you may want to consider when getting going. The biggest thing in buying a lathe is to buy more lathe than you think you need or want and more than you can afford . Buying a lathe and out growing it in a year can be costly. It’s like buying a gun safe…always buy the bigger one no matter how many firearms you currently own. Growing into things is almost always a prudent choice. However, don’t be afraid to put some time in on a used or starter model.
First ask yourself, what type of turning you will be doing. If you will mostly be turning spindles, then there’s no need for a swinging head option, on the other hand, if you’re going to jump into bowl turning, a swiveling head is vital. Your between centres capacity is less of an issue here. Also, bigger bowls means a bigger motor.
You do want to anticipate the largest diameter you’ll plan on trying. As with anything we purchase as mentioned above, it’s about anticipating size. Also, take into consideration how long you plan on spending on the lathe. As you go further up the range you will find this extra power and as with any hobby, turning can get expensive, as it is highly addictive. Budget your ambitions accordingly
Here are 4 major (of many) things to consider when purchasing a lathe. I encourage you to do further research then talk to the person selling it to you.
Is it a floor or bench model? Either way, go for weight.
Solid headstock and tailstock. Here again, go for size and weight. Housing should be a good die cast. It also needs to have a good spread between the bearings to ensure the spindle’s rigidity. The tailstock should be the same, make sure its bored with a Morse taper.
3. Swivel head. This helps with doing off lathe bigger pieces . Almost like outboard turning. I think you need this for sure. We’ll leave it at that.
Motor controls. Variable speeds are a must. Allowing you to increase speed without stopping to change belts. Go for the model with the most whistles and bells such as speed memory, etc. You’ll need a foot or easy reach gear switch, make sure that’s equally durable.
