HSS vs. carbide slotter?

[Wizer]

I should order a spare blade for flat slotter. The old blade (still in good condition) is made of HSS, and its been just fine.
A carbide cutter costs 4 times as much as HSS, so do You think it lasts 4 times longer?
I have carbide cutters on a couple other machines, and they seem to be more durable.

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

Not sure when it comes to key Cutters.... But in general, Carbide cutters for any machining should be run faster than than HSS. When cutting softer Non-Ferous metals like Aluminum, Brass and other copper alloys at lower than recommended speed, tiny chunks of metal can anneal/weld themselves to the cutting tool edges and this reduces tool life. I'm guessing that you can't significantly change the spindle speed on your machine? Still, if the OEM offers a Carbide option, then maybe its not an issue... whether you really will get get 4x the life from one... id be interested what others say!

[torontosafecracker]

Carbide tipped? completely carbide?


Carbide is harder, but is also more brittle, a shaft, shank or disc made of carbide is more prone to breakage under sudden stops and lots of resistance.... If it's carbide tipped , brazing or adhesion must be considered.

If used properly and not flexed or ran too high carbide should be a longer lasting alternative.

Safety becomes a larger issue also because, carbide , being so hard and brittle, is more violent when it breaks than HSS, in my experience.

[torontosafecracker]

I have no experience with carbide vs hss in regards to key cutters, but I use a lot of drill bits and have a bit of experience with similar bits.


http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_m ... rbide.html

[aussielocky]

Solid carbide is only a really good idea on CNC machines where feed rates etc are optimised for the cutter material. Otherwise the harder cutter can be a liability rather than a benefit. Such cutters should last much longer than conventional HSS.

[C locked]

We use hss. For the slotting cutter. and our oldest machine. Looks like its Based on a singer sewing machine. Has 2. Still original. As they aren't compatible with modern cutters. But they can be resharpened.