From: none@none.com99   
      
   I was struggling trying to face some big 304 stainless mold inserts to   
   length.  1.5" diameter & 1.375" length.  Saw cut of course.  Parting   
   these off is an exercise in frustration.   
      
   For most stainless work I hand sharpen HSS Cobalt bits, but I was   
   struggling with my facing tool and to get decent finish would have to   
   touch it up after ever pass.  I guess I could move the grinder over by   
   the lathe (cringe) and set a diamond bench stone on the tool cart, but   
   it was rough.   
      
   Now as some of you know a lot of mini lathe users swear by those little   
   21.51 or 21.52 DCMT diamond inserts.  I had one tool with one in a tool   
   holder and I tried it because nothing else was working for me.  I   
   finished both ends with a single pass on each end of the last six parts   
   with one insert that looks the same when I finished as when I started.   
   After I finished I started going through my box looking to see how many   
   spares I had.  Ummm. Zero.  There were two broken ones on the head   
   stock, but no spares.   
      
   The finish is decent.  I just bought some more that are listed as   
   alloy/stainless.  Also another turning tool, and a boring bar that uses   
   them as well.  I almost bought a through coolant solid carbide boring   
   bar too, but that will have to wait until the next job comes in the shop.   
      
   I don't even think I was using it right.  It was a right hand turning   
   tool and I was just face/plunging it into the saw cut end pushing a cone   
   off the middle as it finish.  I was amazed at how well it worked with   
   such an aggressive cut and no chatter.  I even considered turning up the   
   speed.   
      
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
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