Some turning tools are meant to machine materials that are way harder than steel. Such tools are usually equipped with a diamond tip or silicon hardened tip that can work on virtually all types of metals. The type of material used to make the tools is not only determined by the nature of the work piece but also factors such as machining speed, depth of feed and type of chip produced. For instance, tools that are used to work on pieces that produce long continuous chips should be made of hardened materials due to exposure to excess friction.
Most machine shops dealing with the supply of machine parts supply indexed turning tools. The indexed tools are supplied in sets of 5, 6, 7 or even 9. Each size is meant for a specific type of feed or working speed. Large tools are generally meant for roughing out the work piece and are usually exposed to a large depth of feed. The small ones on the other hand are meant for finishing processes where a smooth surface is required.
Turning tools are not only used for milling operations but also for drilling, threading and turning operations. They may be used to produce smooth hollows, threaded hollows or blind hollows in a work piece. Therefore, the center drills are usually supplied in indexed sets that can produce specific internal diameters. The lathe tools can later be used to smoothen inner surfaces of the hollows and produce exact diameters as per the required design. Other tools that fall under the category include, back plates, soft jaws, revolving centers, self-centering chunks, independent 4 jaw chunk and the collet among others.
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