Online suppliers of M42 square HSS blanks please?

I've been trying to find a UK online supplier of a range of M42 square section HSS toolbits but am really struggling to find any.

I'm specifically looking for 3/16" x 4", 6mm x 100mm, 5/16"/8mm x 4"/100mm and 3/8"/10mm x 4"/100mm.

If anyone has any leads I'd be very grateful

Many thanks

Jon

West Yorkshire steel, Knighton Tools, Drill service. any of those 3

Thanks Raymond.

Drill Service don't say if it's M35 or M42 but their stock, prices and P&P seem the most reasonable.

Thanks again

Jon

Hi Jon, I'm not 100 % sure but I think M35 [ 5 % Co ] is often marked HSS E and M42 [ either 8 or 10 % Co ] is marked HSCO. Best to check with Drill service to confirm.

cheers.

I think it was M42 I bought from Cromwell tools some time back. 6mm square but only about 60mm long.

I usually buy M35 which is 5% colbalt. You may find m42 but the prices are often artificially high and having used both I'm not that convinced that there is any difference that is worth paying for. M42 is sometimes mentioned as being a sort of cheaper near equivalent to carbide and high red hot cutting strength etc. Personally if that's needed I think it's better to use the real thing maybe even brazed tip carbide at times.

I usually get my M35 form here

**LINK**

If you want red hot then stelite and tantung etc are probably a much better option than M42.

John

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I'm under no illusions about it being a carbide substitute - It's the improved abrasion resistance and slightly higher intrinsic hardness I'm after, rather than red hot-hardness.

...but I'll probably end up with M35 anyway because it's so much easier to get hold of.

From what I've seen HSS-Co is a generic term for any Cobalt bearing HSS although HSS-E is almost always 5% i.e. M35.

Thanks for all the responses

Jon

You might find M42 is available from Cromwell Jon but their toolbit section is a pain to look through. When I have bought from them it's usually from the clearance section. There are usually a number of tool bits types in it.

John

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You might like to look at this Jon. I looked because I had a vague memory that there isn't that much difference in hardness.

**LINK**

I have forked out for M42 and as far as need for sharpening I really don't think there is any significant difference. Last time I bought some it came from the USA.

John

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I'm wondering what eccentric engineering supply. Worth asking?

Tantung G can be bought directly from the suppliers but I don't know what the prices are like. Interesting fact. Hardness wise if like some grades of stellite it might be a touch less than HSS even M2 yet wears better and can cut at higher speeds.

John

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Just had a look at the Eccentric Tool ad on the right, they quote M42, or an option to use Crobolt.

Ian S C

RS sell M42 blanks in various sizes. www.rswww.com

Martin

I'm pretty sure Crobolt is another stellite type as per Tantung. I think that drillservices uk did or do stock some stellite. Sources for this sort of thing in the uk seem to be scarce.

John

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I bought a few types including Fagersta WKE 45(11% cobalt) and found them no better than M35 at higher speeds on a lathe

Only carbide has serious resistance to the grinding action of lathe turning in my experience

However, at slow speed high torque, on the backgear, these fancy HSS steels are extremely good in my experience, and can munch very hard steels without losing their edge

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the link to RS - I should have thought of them. although the sizes available seem to be only imperial.

Ady,

I agree with your observation - certainly noticed better wear when turning stainless with the higher Co content HSS.

Ian & NDIY,

Eccentric have only 1/4" and 5/16" in short lengths and seem expensive IME.

Jon

Crobalt is a cast alloy of 50% Cobalt, and the other 50% is made up from Tungsten, Chromium, and a number of other metals. It maybe ground with a normal wheel as fitted to the average bench grinder.

Ian S C

Maybe too late but look in UK MSCdirect's monthly sales flyer. !0% cobalt is listed there. Also 5% and M2

If some one wants a large milling vice it might be worth a look as well.

John

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Edited By Ajohnw on 23/01/2017 13:09:21

Well, I received a couple of lengths of HSS from Drill Service - good service.

I was very pleased to see that one is Momax i.e. M42 but the other is labelled "Swiftic 206 HSS".

Does anyone know what "Swiftic 206 HSS" is please?

It doesn't seem as grindable as M2 but I'm not sure what it is. Despite several attempts Google hasn't revealed any clues.

Many thanks

Jon

I can only find mention of swiftic hss on a new zealand website where its described as Tungsten Moly ,so M2 but not sure about the 260 designation. Strange no company shows up though a few sellers selling swiftic brand cutters etc..