By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies as set out in our Cookie Statement. We appreciate some users may like more individual control over their visit to our website. You can read about these settings and how to control them in our Cookie Policy.

Any help? Make no assumptions about my (lack of) experience. I'm kind of limited to cheap brazed carbide and HSS. I ain't buying fancy tooling until I'm good enough to stop chipping/breaking everything.

Your place to share metalworking projects, ask questions, and learn together! We encourage you to join our discord! https://discord.gg/3sgvsw2BDs

Some of these cookies are essential to make our website work whilst others help us to improve our service by giving us some insight into how the website is being used.

Image

If you do not agree to such use, please refrain from using the website. Instead, we will be happy to service your requirements by telephone.

I've fumbled and figured out how to do nice work on mild steel, cast iron, plastic, and tons of brass and aluminum, but so far I am hating copper. It is sticky, grabby, too soft to hold tight, but hard enough to catch and bind up.

I managed to cuss my way through truing it up and getting a rough finish pass (just gonna sand smooth), but I need to cut 2 slots in it for o-rings. They don't cut... If I go low RPM it grabs. If I go high RPM it doesn't cut, just rubs the tool. I've sharpened the tool (brazed carbide) several times, through all the different attempts, and I can not find a technique that works.

When I made the rough finish, I figured out to take ultra-light passes that would pull off a very thin chip ribbon. I cant really do that plunging in an o-ring slot.

I know I can just lay my hacksaw on the piece while turning and get it done (how I parted it), but I'd really like to not cheat and learn what I'm screwing up.

Image