I just cut HSS and carbon steel on the lathe with regular carbide!

[Kaleb]

I had heard from some people at TAFE that tungsten carbide tools will cut such things as HSS, which I didn't believe at first, but I plucked up the courage to try and see what happened.



And here's the evidence. It actually works! th_confused0052 I was almost certain that I'd break the insert straight away. Top to bottom: worn out tap, broken easy out (screw extractor), shank of old drill bit.

 

[steamer]

Drill shanks tend to be soft and machinable ...but the other items are hard core!

Dave

 

[don-tucker]

I used to turn 1/4"dia hss using carbide inserts in a lathe at work to make punches for making bifricated rivets on a cold heading machine,no prob.In fact I have some here I use as small punches.
Don