Which type of turning tool fulfils which purpose?
Turning tools (also known as turning steels) are used on lathes to remove material from the workpiece. Different types of turning tools are used depending on the intended use. To find out which turning tool suits your requirements, you will find an overview of the different types and designs of turning tools here.
Table of contents
1. overview of turning tool types
- Right-hand turning tools
- Left-hand turning tools
- Neutral turning tools
- Internal turning tools
- Threaded turning tools
2. turning tool versions
Overview of turning tool types
Depending on the desired geometry of the end result, different types of turning tools can be used to machine the workpiece accordingly and bring it into the correct shape:
- Right-hand turning tools
- Left-hand turning tools
- Neutral turning tools
- Internal turning tools
- Thread turning tools
Right-hand turning tools
Based on the position of the main cutting edge of the turning tool, you can determine whether it is a right-hand turning tool. The rake face of the turning tool must point towards you, while the shank points away from you (Fig. 2). If the main cutting edge is on the right, it is a right-hand turning tool. The cutting or working direction of right-hand turning tools is from right to left. Depending on its shape, it can be used for both longitudinal and face turning.
Left-hand turning tools
Similar to the procedure for determining right-hand turning tools, you can also hold the turning tool in front of you so that the main cutting edge is pointing towards you (Fig. 2). If the cutting edge is pointing to the left, it is therefore a left-hand turning tool. If it is clamped in the lathe, it is therefore pointing to the right. The cutting or working direction of left-hand turning tools is from left to right. Left-hand turning tools are mainly used for longitudinal turning.
Internal turning tool
Internal turning tools (also known as boring bars) are used to machine workpieces from the inside. To do this, however, a hole must first be drilled. The workpiece can then be turned out from the inside with the internal turning tool (Fig. 2). In addition, internal turning tools are slightly longer than external turning tools of the same size.
Turning tool designs
When choosing the right turning tool, the selection of turning tool versions should be taken into account in addition to the different types. The term "design" refers to the material from which the turning tool or its cutting edge is made.
HSS turning tool
HSS steel (high-speed steel) is a high-alloy tool steel that is frequently used as a cutting material in machining. It has the highest breaking strength and the best grindability, making it very suitable for grinding to size for various applications.
Thanks to the excellent grindability of HSS steel, these chisels can be easily reground or sharpened for use in mould turning. Due to its high breaking strength, this material is less susceptible to impact and also allows interrupted cuts.
Turning tools with brazed-on carbide plates
Carbide plates are characterised by their hardness, but especially by their toughness. They are harder than pure metals, alloys and hardened steel, but are more susceptible to breakage. Due to their higher temperature resistance compared to HSS steels, cutting speeds of up to three times higher are possible with turning steels with carbide inserts.
As soon as the cutting edges of the turning tools are worn, they must be reground.
Turning tools with indexable inserts
Turning tools with replaceable indexable inserts have the advantage that worn cutting edges can be changed quickly and easily. In addition, depending on the material to be machined, the most suitable insert can be mounted on the holder. The coating of the indexable inserts means that they can be used for a wide range of materials, such as for machining aluminium, non-ferrous metals or steel. This means that turning tools with the appropriate indexable insert are also suitable for machining very hard materials.
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