Stainless steel

how do I stop stainless steel work hardening when turning in lathe?

I would suggest loads of coolant to take the heat away.

Martin P

Sharp tool with about 20 degrees top rake, I use High Speed Steel as it is sharper than carbide, reasonable depth of cut, reasonable feed rate. If you try to take a small cut at low feed it won't work. I've had really good results with tangential toolholder. Watch out for the long ribbons of swarf it will cut your hands to shreds.

Hello Brian,

Heavy feed, slow speed and use coolant. Much also depends on the grade you are machining, some like 304 are much more amenable and will turn like high carbon steels..

Drilling is best done by 'peck' drilling and with sharp drills, but don't overload it; while swatf comes out of the hole it is OK, the instant it stops withdraw the drill and sharpen it if necessary..

Stainless can be machined with a light cut, in that case increase the feed rate to keep a curl of swarf coming away

Regards

Brian

Depends on the grade of stainless steel, 304, not too bad, 316 little more difficult, I use insert tooling where ever I can and I'm not convinced by the sharper debate. Drilling and tapping can be problematic and you need the correct tap or die for stainless not some cheap item.

Bob

and and spells will go septic.

graham.

(Spell: sliver of swarf in the flesh. Not the type my missus usually conjurs up!)

Thank you people

I have used the polished high rake carbide inserts designed for aluminium (CCGT06**** ) very successfully on stainless.