HSS lathe tools

[Bsmith]

I have a few broken HSS drill shanks that I am planning to make lathe tools from. How is HSS tempered plz?

 

[bill_gj]

All the HSS stock that I used for lathe tools years ago was used just as it came. You ground it up to the shape you needed and clamped it up in the tool post at the right height.

 

[rikrobson]

I've Also always just ground the tool to the right shape and used then with no problems.

 

[the artfull-codger]

Unfortunately hss drill bit shanks are not fully hardened like the cutting part of the drill,hence the fact that you can turn then down to fit in a smaller chuck than the drill diameter,or ''clean up'' a damaged shank, hss unlike high carbon steel cannot be heat-treated at home, you can allways use the shanks of
hss end mills or slot drills as lathe tools,I grind them up to use in the boring head or as form tools.

 

[AndyP]

Buy some proper blanks you tight sod

 

[rory1]

i very often used sanpped taps as turning tools, i also used them as cutting tools in a portable line boring setup i made for repairing machine buckets.

rory

 

[Bsmith]

Buy some proper blanks you tight sod

Really? And throw all them drill ends away, what a shame. I did buy new drill bits tho. (",).

 

[Bsmith]

Actually, I often cut a tct tooth from an old circular saw blade, tack weld it onto a square bar and sharpen. Does great on most metals.

 

[brightspark]

Actually, I often cut a tct tooth from an old circular saw blade, tack weld it onto a square bar and sharpen. Does great on most metals.

they also make good parting off tools as well

 

[aametalmaster]

Use broken taps for lathe tools. I use the shanks for making grooving tools. Just sharpen to suit...Bob

 

[gavuk]

i use broken1/4" shank end mill set into 12mm bar stock as a centre punch ........not tried as lath tool though

 

[Shox Dr]

Unfortunately hss drill bit shanks are not fully hardened like the cutting part of the drill,hence the fact that you can turn then down to fit in a smaller chuck than the drill diameter,or ''clean up'' a damaged shank, hss unlike high carbon steel cannot be heat-treated at home, you can allways use the shanks of
hss end mills or slot drills as lathe tools,I grind them up to use in the boring head or as form tools.

Very true. The reason been, if it was hardened through-out it would slip in the chuck

 

[gavuk]

Very true. The reason been, if it was hardened through-out it would slip in the chuck

I thought it was to stop breakages like bimetal hacksaw blades,fully hardened would be too brittle?.....centre dills are hss and grip in a chuck ......never tried a cutter in a drill