Tools for wood lathe consist of two types: traditional woodturning tools and carbide wood lathe tools. Traditional gouges are typically made of high-speed steel (HSS), and carbide turning tools feature replaceable carbide inserts or tips.
The carbide turning tools are the go-to choice for many woodworking enthusiasts and professionals due to their high durability, sharpness, and heat & wear resistance. They come in different designs, such as rougher, detailer, finisher, and hollower. Each tool requires a specific carbide insert shape to achieve the desired turning result.
This article explains the four distinct shapes of carbide inserts for turning tools: square, square with radius, round, and diamond-shaped. Let's walk through the four shapes of carbide wood lathe tools and start woodturning!
Carbide Turning Tool Shapes
As we mentioned above, there are four shapes of carbide inserts for woodturning tools: square, square with radius, round, and diamond. In this section, we provide detailed instructions on the four carbide turning tool shapes.
Square
Square carbide woodturning inserts are the most common shape, featuring four sharp cutting edges. When one edge becomes damaged or dull, you can extend the insert's service life by rotating it to a fresh edge.
Square inserts are commonly found on roughers, used for removing large amounts of material, shaping workpieces, and roughing. When you use them, you'll enjoy the following benefits:
- Versatility: It is general-purpose and can be used for a variety of woodturning tasks.
- High efficiency: The four cutting edges ensure stable cutting performance, achieving a smooth cutting result and reducing vibration.
- Cost-effective: The indexable design reduces the frequency of insert replacement, thereby lowering costs.
Square with Radius
The square inserts with radius add rounded corners to the four edges of a square insert. This design enables smoother cutting and reduces the risk of damaging the wood surface. They are commonly found on radius roughers and are primarily used for finishing and smoothing surfaces.
Here are the strengths of using the square inserts with radius on wood lathe tools:
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Smoother cutting: Rounded corners enable smoother cutting and reduce the risk of wood tearing.
- Less vibration: Rounded corners reduce vibration, thereby improving turning quality and operator comfort.
Round
Round lathe tool inserts are ideal for continuous turning operations, allowing for consistent cutting forces. Commonly found on finishers and hollowers, they excel at shaping curved surfaces and concave forms, such as bowls, cups, etc.
The advantages of the round carbide inserts for woodturning are:
- Fine surface: They create smooth, curved surfaces with reduced wood splintering.
- Consistent cutting edge: The round cutter reduces the need for rotation or flipping, ensuring uniform cutting performance.
Read More: Detailed Bowl Woodturning Guide for Woodturners
Diamond
Diamond carbide inserts are used on detailers, featuring a unique diamond shape with four sharp edges. These cutters are ideal for making shear cuts and creating clean finishes on wood surfaces. Compared to other shapes of carbide cutters for lathe tools, diamond-shaped cutters excel at detail work, especially in tight, hard-to-reach areas.
Here are the pros of using diamond-shaped carbide inserts:
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Precision: They are perfect for fine and detailed cutting, particularly when turning angles or complex shapes.
- High applicability: They offer flexible cutting across various grain directions and wood types.
Bonus Tip: Traditional vs Carbide Wood Lathe Tools
In this part, we will show you the differences between traditional and carbide turning tools. When you're wondering which one to choose, take a look at it, and you might find the answer.
Traditional wood lathe tools are made from HSS, featuring high sharpness and impact resistance. They have a low initial cost but need regular sharpening. Therefore, the maintenance cost can be high. As traditional tools are somewhat difficult to master, they are popular among professional woodworkers.
Carbide woodturning tools are made from carbide, making them have better sharpness, durability, and last longer than traditional turning tools. Moreover, the indexable design makes it easier to replace and maintain. They are friendly for beginners and enthusiasts, but the initial cost is relatively high.
Parting Shot
After reading this post, you should be familiar with the four shapes of carbide cutters for woodturning tools and their respective uses. They are square, square with radius, round, and diamond, each applied to different lathe tools for specific purposes. Select the most suitable woodturning insert shape to suit your specific needs and complete a diverse range of woodworking projects.
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If you have any questions about carbide woodturning tools and inserts, leave a comment with your available email below. We will give feedback via email ASAP!
FAQ About Shapes of Carbide Woodturning Tools
#1. What is the difference between carbide and traditional lathe tools?
The tips of carbide lathe tools are made from carbide, and the traditional tools are made of HSS. The former is easier to use than the latter, more suitable for beginners, and has better durability and sharpness.
The initial cost of carbide lathe tools is high, but they do not require sharpening and have no maintenance costs. So, in the long run, they are cost-effective.
#2. Are carbide woodturning tools any good?
Of course, yes. The carbide tips feature high durability, wear & heat resistance, and sharpness. Due to the indexable design, you can just loosen the screw and rotate the insert to a new edge. Therefore, carbide woodturning tools have a long service life. Moreover, they are suitable for beginners with fewer skills.
