Sharpen Carbide Inserts

[Todd in PA]

I'm sure most of you know this, but I only just learned today that carbide inserts are re-sharpenable. Who knew! Not me!

It turns out to be super easy also. Turn it upside down on a diamond plate and make circles.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/962644489089941842/

Thought I'd share in case there was someone else like me who is throwing these out when they get dull.

 

[derekdd]

Thanks for the link, Todd.

I found a similar video by Stumpy Nubs a year or so ago and have been using a diamond plate and lapping fluid to resharpen ever since. I'd suggest I can get them 70-75% back to original.

Beats the heck out of dull, but not as nice as using a new one.

 

[KMCloonan]

I have been resharpening the "non-negative-rake" cutters for several years now. I use the various grades (course to fine) diamond plates. I read somewhere that Krud Kutter is a good lapping fluid for carbide cutters, and I have been using that. It works quite well.

 

[KenB259]

Yup, been doing it for a few years.

 

[1080Wayne]

Works fine for ones that are just plain dull , as opposed to those with nicks out of the carbide . Nicks usually occur when the cutter is used to round the corners of a stabilized blank .

 

[derekdd]

Works fine for ones that are just plain dull , as opposed to those with nicks out of the carbide . Nicks usually occur when the cutter is used to round the corners of a stabilized blank .

Or if you're a knucklehead like me and drop your tool on the concrete.

It'll chip the carbide bit quite nicely.

 

[Todd in PA]

I taped a popsicle stick to the corner of the lathe after the third time I broke a corner off a square insert on it.

 

[guitarchitect]

well... not really. it puts the burr on the wrong side so this is more akin to honing than sharpening, and it dulls quickly. think of the edge of a chisel blade - when you sharpen it, you don't put the back of the chisel on the sharpening stone.

properly sharpening carbide needs to be done with a holder that puts it at the correct angle. i'm surprised there aren't more jigs available to facilitate this!

 

[cozee]

Pretty much everything with a cutting edge can be sharpened. The trick is knowing if an edge needs sharpened or just honed!