Tools for C1 Lathe

Hello all...

Looking for some 8mm tools for my new Sieg C1. Shall I go indexable? Looking for tools that last really! Not looking to do anything too heavy or complicated...

I'll be turning aluminium, brass and mild steel.

With just a 150 W motor I would forget indexable tools and stick to HSS toolbits. I still have HSS tools that I made about 20 years ago. They get an occasional touch up on a grinder and, for the best finish, hone with a fine diamond sharpener.

Russell.

Get/make a small tangential tool holder with hss bits, and a grinder.

Hi.

I recently bought a Toyo lathe (similar size to your C1 I think). It came with the original 1-way toolpost so I bought a modern (import) quick change toolpost for it, along with some 8mm Glanze insert tooling. Have turned brass, aluminium and steel with this setup up to 1" diameter and had no issues whatsoever. Obviously you have to make appropriate cuts and not expect a floor full of blue chips.

I use Sumitomo insert tools on my bigger lathe, along with some Glanze, and for me I have to say that Glanze quality does me proud. Plus tips are much cheaper - I think I paid £20 for a box last time, which I think for hobbywork is just about the right price. I got the tools from Chronos. If you decide to buy insert tooling make sure your toolpost will accept the tool, and that the resultant tip height won't be above centre.

In part I use inserts because I don't know how to grind HSS (nor do I have a grinder). It's on the todo list, but I've just completed an entire loco with insert tooling, so I don't think it's essential.

Cheers,

Mike.

I am watching this thread with interest as a recent purchaser of a lathe.

Mine will take up to 16mm tools, but as my interest will be model making there are many times I can envisage where 16/12mm tools will be to large to get into the area of the job required.

I am 'thinking' that a selection of 8mm tools may also be required.

Regards, Nick

Glad you like the C1 so far.

Another vote here for HSS bits, I do have several insert tools to fit the C1 but nearly always end up using HSS, 5/16 is more readily available than 8mm it seems and is about the right size for the original toolholder with minimal packing. I thoroughly recommend the quick change toolpost once packing tools up to height gets boring/frustrating.

Andy

I have a grinder & some diamond slips so I'm set up there. I just wondered what the consensus of opinion was. I'm not exacltly new to turnng just incredibly rusty. I remember grinding lathe tools when I was around 12 years old and experimenting with angles then. I was turning magnesium (don't ask!) and it must be the easiest stuff I've ever done.

I'm left with 6mm lathe tools as an overhang from the Proxxon 150/E I had, and will upgrade to 8mm. I may well stick with HSS, but a good parting tool comes to mind.

Remember you have to remove nearly twice as much material when grinding an 8 mm tool than a 6 mm one. I use mainly 1/4 in HSS bits on my 5" lathe for light work, only using anything bigger or going to indexable tipped tools when really pushing it. Just make sure you minimise overhang.

Russell

Stevo, I use 1/4" HSS in tool holders (left, right, and straight) for most of the work I do on my 1326 BH lathe, and 1/4" with out a tool holder in my Super Adept. The big lathe can and does take much larger tooling if required, and some times I use indexable Tungsten tipped tools.

Parting, when I started, and for a year or three, I used a tool made from a bimetal type industrial hacksaw blade, teeth just ground off, and the remaining HSS used as a cutting area. When I got a parting off tool, it was actually harder work, it was 3 times the width.

Ian S C