Diamond Lathe Bit?

[rc10t3racer]

I have a carbide bit on my motor lathe. Is it worth the extra $ for a diamond bit?

Ok, I've heard mixed responses to this question. What have you guy seen from your experience.

Do you really get a cleaner cut with a diamond bit? If so, does it make a performance difference?

Most people also say a Diamond bit will last much longer than a Carbide bit. This sounds reasonable, but the Carbide cost like 10x more.

Thanks

[FilthyPierre]

Interesting question, I'm wondering the same. My lathe came with a carbide bit but I get a rifling effect on the com when I cut. I'm not sure what it is, a couple of guys from this BB have given me suggestions, and I'm trying to borrow a diamond bit to try in my lathe.
Carbide bits can be resharpened, diamond can't. If you chip your diamond bit it's useless for ever more. At least you can resharpen a carbide. But still, some guys swear by diamond bits.
I think I will eventually get one, especially if I can try it first and it fixes my problem.....

[nsane]

Diamond bits are money well spent, IF you really know how to use your lathe and you can get good enough with it to notice the difference between the two - they aren't worth the money just to have a diamond bit.

[Oyster]

Diamond bits aren't needed, IMO. Perhaps if you're cutting your motors, your friends motors, his dogs motors, and the Pope's motors as well. Otherwise, the carbide bit will give you cut after cut. And as people have stated, you can sharpen a carbide bit. Best of both worlds. :)

- jon

[Leet TC3]

There is a reason you can't sharpen a diamond bit: You should never NEED too.

And that for me is the difference. Handled correctly, a diamond bit should last forever. If you know how to handle a carbide bit, you know how to handle a diamond one.

The cut on a diamond bit is certainly shinier than that of a -sharp- carbide bit. But it is not a BETTER cut, just a shinier one.

I prefer a diamond bit, because I don't want to deal with/worry about a carbide bit losing its edge, which is will do after about a dozen cuts or less. Plus, there is something wonderfully sublime about a diamond trued comm. It just LOOKS faster. :) :) .

So, for me it is worth the extra bucks. And given how much I use it, it will probably save money in the long run.

[Grizzbob]

I agree with Leet, I finally got a diamond bit about 1 1/2 years ago when I ran out of good carbide ones & needed to do some cutting(I was spending pretty heavily that weekend), so I finally splurged on the diamiond bit & lo & behold, it's still cutting just as good now as it did the first time(& I've been cutting a HUGE number of comms since I got my dyno & figured out how to tune). It's not so much the finish(though it is very nice), but the fact that it just seems impervious to wear. I think mine has already paid for itself several times over &(knock on wood) I expect it'll keep going for a long time to come..... :)

[jeepinator]

I bought 3 carbide bits in the first 6 months I owned my lathe. Then I bought a diamond bit. That was over 5 years ago.
Diamond bits are mandatory. There are no alternatives. Believe it.