Carbide – Round vs. Square Insert

[zig613]

I read the various threads and past posts on the site regarding the different carbide tools available (e.g., Ci0 easy finisher, woodchuck pen pro, rontondo, skogger, etc.). However, I would like to get some more information on the various advantages & disadvantages of buying a tool that has a round or square carbide insert. I'm looking to use it mainly for pens and bottle stoppers and looking for the smoothest cut finish results… to minimize skew work and sharpening.

Any help and/or comments from those who use one of these tools would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Wade

 

[randyrls]

I'm looking to use it mainly for pens and bottle stoppers and looking for the smoothest cut finish results… to minimize skew work and sharpening.

Any help and/or comments from those who use one of these tools would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Wade

Wade; The round ones will allow you to do coves, the straight ones produce good lines for pens.

The flat topped carbide bits can be sharpened easily with a credit card diamond hone. The shaped carbide that looks like a cup is much more difficult to sharpen, but works better on wood.

 

[Gary Max]

to minimize skew work and sharpening

Ouch

I would be lost without my Skew

 

[Rifleman1776]

The square cutters, for reasons I don't understand, cost only about 1/4 to 1/5 of what the round ones cost.
Square cutters are best suited for roughing, especially larger stock.
Round cutters work very well for hollowing.

 

[KenV]

At risk of flames, the flat top cutter such as are cited above are scrapers. The square ones come straight edged, or with a slight radius. The round flat top ones are still scrapers. Got a couple and they work well if you know that you cannot hog acylics or some woods successfully.

Hunter and Jack McDaniels Eliminator use sharp edge cutting cups - these are not scrapers.

Tool contorl is the secret -- I have not developed the tool contol or feel for the carbide scrapers to do fine finish cuts. Some have good success in a shear scrap style.

Hunter style tools have been highly successful for me for rounding and shaping polyester blanks (and alumilite) such as snake skin pens -

I default to the skew for fine "sandfree" finish work and have been using a john jordan shear scraper for fine surfaces with good success.

Learning tool control is practice practice practice -- and more practice.

You still need to learn how to use a skew and a gouge if you are going to be doing much turning beyond b-to-b pens.

 

[zig613]

Thanks for the information.