motor lathe bits

[primuswoostinkinhoo]

i got a hudy extreme lathe from my gf for christmas, it didnt come with a bit.
my question is this,

i called all the hobby shops around me and the diamond bits were around 100 bucks and the carbide bits were around 30 to 40 bucks.

then i looked on ebay, carbide, 6 bucks, diamond, 50 bucks.

so whats the difference? am i ok buying a 6 dollar bit off ebay? are the ones at the hobby store more money cause they have Trinity's name on them? or is there something special about them?

[boborc]

i would watch buying $6 carbide bit from ebay they dull easily & if not sharpened right could ruin your com.if you want to save a few bucks & know the dimensions & angle of the bit you need try mcmastercarr i,m not sure of the exact link but you will find it if you search under that name they have everything in fasteners,bits ect. diamond & carbide diamond of course will give a better cut but if not used corectly could be worthless very quick carbide can be sharpened read the instructions

[adam lancia]

can you post a picture of the lathe so i can tell you the right part number for the bit you're looking for?...that is unless you already know the part number. if that's the case, get the carbide bit in c2 grade NOT c5 grade. c2 is made for non-ferrous metals and gives a much cleaner cut in my experiences. mcmastercarr.com has the bits for less than $6...i usually buy ten then when a bunch are dull, take them to a machine shop and get them to sharpen them for you. after that they're good as new. good luck,

adam

[baih]

wow your gf gave you a hudy. why put a cheap bit on your hudy that your gf spent good money for. yes hudy bits are around $90.00
they do work good.

[primuswoostinkinhoo]

why pay 90 bucks for something just cause it has hudys name on it

[primuswoostinkinhoo]

i ordered two bits off ebay, im also gonna give the stuff at the hobby shop a try sometime and see if i cant tell a difference. i tryed looking for machine shops in my area, with not much luck. it probably doesnt help that i dont really know what kind of machine shop im looking for

[primuswoostinkinhoo]

and woohoo i just checked they are C2

[Cain]

Drop Big Jim a message and ask for his advise on sharpening your carbide bits. You will need a diamond file, 200 grit to do it but it will cut like new.

I still use the same carbide bit and just sharpen as needed.

[rcboy201]

diamond bits are the BEST, they cut a lot cleaner and u never have to sharpen them

[highroller]

The cuts between a diamond bit and a good sharpen carbide are the same.
You could buy 10 good grade carbide bits for the price of one diamond bit.
Problem when carbide you get 6-10 cut with a diamond bit many years of use if used properly.

[JasonD]

I used to think that carbide could cut as good as a diamond. I now believe that diamond is superior and is worth the investment, as long as you think you will be cutting comms for a few years.

I have bought carbide bits from McMaster-Carr and they work ok for about 3 cuts.

I recommend a diamond. The problem is that it is difficult to find a reasonaly priced one without questioning the quality.

I just broke down and got the hudy diamond bit.

Good Luck

[redheat8]

Still using a carbon tip on my Cobra Lathe, RED

[rcboy201]

i got about 30 cuts out of my cabide bit, then it started to make some rough cuts

but u have to be careful with a diamond bit, you can break the tip off of them, i saw it happen, the guy had a slightly bend shaft on his motor and it started skipping, and it broke the tip off the lathe

[highroller]

I noticed the bits that came with the Cobra lathes weren't as sharp as they could have been and the metal is possibly not as hard either so you get less cuts. I purchased mine (2000 and 2000K) back in 1989, using the carbide bits to set bit height, stops and practice cuts on old armatures before switching to the diamond bits. I'm still using the diamond bit I got when I purchased the lathe but bought another diamond bit and oring just in case.