??'s for buckshot or__?

[georgeld]

Am wondering how to turn down some HSS rod's I bought.
Carbide just ride's over it on the lathe. Shouldn't carbide cut HSS??

Thought I'd make a chamber reamer. One of those half type's.

Should I heat it up then turn and retemper it?
I don't have a lathe grinder. Shouldn't need one.

Thanks for what ever you can suggest. This is my first shot at this idea.

[Red River Rick]

Ceramic or Cermit inserts are about your only hope, other than grinding.

Ceramic inserts are relatively cheap, the Cermit insert are very expensive, could be as much as a $60, for one. HSS is normally ground for the final finishing. Should you choose this route, make sure you do "ALL" your turning first, Ceramic insert don't fair well with any type of interupted cuts (fluting, keyways, holes, etc). The "Workpiece" must be "Rigid" and supported by the "Tailstock" when possible, for best results and finishes.

Wind your lathe to maximum rpm, I'm serious, Ceramic tooling works at these speeds, that's how it was designed to work. Light shallow cuts, 0.0025" - 0.005", the chip should look like a ribbon of "Glowing Red" material.

RRR

[georgeld]

ahh, thank you sir.

Believe I shall turn it cherry red and let it cool til I get back to it in a few days. That should soften it enough. IF not, it's just one rod, I can absorb that much.

Appreciate it RRR