Using a ginding setup on a lathe

Sometimes it would be nice to be able grind items that are too tough for normal lathe tools.

Anyone done this and care to share some idea/pictures?

Have you considered CBN inserts.. not tried them myself but good for 65HRC (shop-apt.co.uk for example)

pgk

Would this grind a drill?

It is possible to turn hardened silver steel with carbide inserts or, even better, with CBN inserts. See here for results:

Turning Hardened Silver Steel

I've not tried turning HSS, but it's certainly possible to mill HSS with ordinary carbide cutters.

If a material is really tough then I'll use my cylindrical grinder.

Andrew

Not sure that grinding a drill is normal lathe-work? Or are you intending to turn counterbored drills?

Lots use a die-grinder, attached to the cross slide.  No real problem as long as machinery is adequately protected from abrasive dust.

Edited By not done it yet on 02/09/2021 11:36:24

Whatever you use to cut the hard steel will give a very shiny finish is what I have found..

If you do a grinding set up protect your lathe bed by laying a cloth or paper.

Thoroughy clean after.

I have a die grinder and may make a tool post for it, interesting project to keep me busy

Good advice re covering things up.

I use my Quorn grinding head sometimes in the lathe ,flooded
with neat cutting oil keeps the grinding wheel clean no special
covering on the machine as the grindings fall away in the coolant
stream onto the normal swarf protection and are then just
washed away.

John

Good advice re covering things up.

But preferably not cloth - which, if caght up by whatever is rotating in the lathe, can be dangerous.

Before using a die grinder check the play in the bearings. They are not intended for precision work so may flop around rather more than the depth of cut you are trying to achieve. Also you might want to look at the lathe bearings and slide movement or it rather defeats the object of the exercise. Doesn't necessarily apply if your only aim is to cut tough materials rather than achivee the precision and finish of normal grinding intentions.

I have used CBN inserts on my WM280, new are not cheap but you may find used ones with some life left on ebay for cheap. I got a lot of 6 Seco TNMGs for 18 Euro and they were in reasonable condition. They are good for hardened steel but need lots of speed, on my lathe I run it at max speed - I warn you, no swarf will come out, just fireworks!