Updating to Carbide tooling

[flagman1776]

I have needed some new tooling, cutters & boring bar but the challenge was how to get a grip on my old SouthBend.  I bought a single 1/2" boring bar with replaceable carbide insert on ebay from www.mesatool.com   The round bar had flats top & bottom...  wouldn't quite go in my quick change tool holder.  I left the bottom untouched for indexing true & made a few passes on my bench grinder down the top flat & cinched down the set screws perfectly.  I discovered the cutting edge was below center on the work, but I experimented with some big fender washers & found one that would raise my tool holder perfectly. 
I just ordered a couple of different cutters... and spare inserts & screws...   arrived in today's mail.  I think this will go a long way to getting my projects moving again.   And the lathe can quickly switched back to conventional tooling either by removing the fender washer shim or exchanging tool posts.   

[Cannoneer]

Flagman1776,
Do you have any specific projects in mind to break in the new tooling?

[KABAR2]

I like the carbide cutters, I used them on the little 1" swivel I posted here about a year ago, there are times though when you need a certian shape cutter high carbon tool steel  does the job......

[de_lok]

Here is a link to a nice qc tool holder ( kit has to be machines). I plan to get one for the SB9A I recently purchased. This will allow you to use a variety of tool shank sizes on your southbend and easiy locate the cutter tip on center. Hope this helps.

http://www.statecollegecentral.com/metallathe/MLA-23.html

Dewayne

[flagman1776]

Thanks Dewayne,
They have some interesting stuff.
R

[GGaskill]

Here is an interesting post (#11) about setting up carbide boring bars.  I have not had problems using mine but will try this the next time anyway.