carbide or HSS thread cutter

[Terry Brown]

1. When threading most N. American woods, do HSS cutters give a better cut than carbide?
2. If so, Is it significant enough to offset its shorter lifespan?
3. Does a larger diameter cutting head make cleaner cuts? A 3/8" or 1/2" shank will work for me. All internal diameters will be at or greater than 1 1/4".
4. Who sells a good cutter at a reasonable price?
Since I only want to buy one cutter, I greatly appreciate all input.
thanks,
Terry

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

Carbide will be better.

The geometry of the cutter is important too. If the plane representing the face of a cutter's tooth passes through the center of the cutter that's a neutral rake cutter somewhat akin to a scraper. A cutter with a positive rake is more free cutting. Once you get into a positive rake cutter the price will likely sky rocket.

Maybe the most important issue with threading is to use a "climb" cut. A climb cut is feeding in the direction your wood router manufacturer tells you not to do with a hand held tool. A climb cut will give the cleanest cut. If you use a threading jig that spins freely you'll have to restrain it a bit with your hand when climb cutting so it doesn't self feed.

More speed is better. A larger diameter cutter will have a higher peripheral speed than a smaller cutter.

 

[robo hippy]

Carbide will last longer, but I don't have one, I just have the standard ones. By thread cutter, are you talking about the ones that go on the lathe and you use an X/Y jig to advance the wood into the cutter? I have a Baxter rig, and it is good. You can get carbide or HSS cutters from them. I have one spare from years ago, and I think it came from Grainger or maybe Fastenall. One of those big supply places. If you are threading inserts or waste blocks for your lathe, then I think the main place to go is Beall company.

robo hippy

 

[john lucas]

I've been using the standard cutter with my Baxter jig for many many boxes. I've had the jig for 20 years or more. For the last 10 or 12 years I have been using the cutter in a router and it cuts really clean.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I imagine it would be pretty hard to wear out the cutter for the Baxter, take the 16 TPH thread, you only have to go in .035 on a side. I only cut 3 or 4 threads. I have not had it as long as John but have been using the oldest one I use for about 15 years. I see no reason to spend the extra money the 60° double cutter made of carbide costs. I have 2 Baxters and between them they fit 8 of the 9 lathes in the shop. When the hands on classes end in August you will always find these on 2 of the lathes and I always get clean cuts using fast speeds on the lathes.

 

[robo hippy]

I did try a few cuts with my old Bonnie Klein cutter, kind of prefer how it just screws onto the lathe rather than the through bolt. Then tried the Baxter cutter. For sure the Klein cutter didn't cut as clean in the same woods. I may have done 100 or maybe 200 boxes. Getting back into that again.... I believe that Baxter does make carbide cutters.

robo hippy

 

[Terry Brown]

Carbide will be better.

The geometry of the cutter is important too. If the plane representing the face of a cutter's tooth passes through the center of the cutter that's a neutral rake cutter somewhat akin to a scraper. A cutter with a positive rake is more free cutting. Once you get into a positive rake cutter the price will likely sky rocket.

Maybe the most important issue with threading is to use a "climb" cut. A climb cut is feeding in the direction your wood router manufacturer tells you not to do with a hand held tool. A climb cut will give the cleanest cut. If you use a threading jig that spins freely you'll have to restrain it a bit with your hand when climb cutting so it doesn't self feed.

More speed is better. A larger diameter cutter will have a higher peripheral speed than a smaller cutter.

Doug,
Your information was so clearly presented that I realized there isn't a lot of difference in using a wood shaper or cutting threads. One is fed straight, and one rotates.
Thanks

 

[Terry Brown]

I did try a few cuts with my old Bonnie Klein cutter, kind of prefer how it just screws onto the lathe rather than the through bolt. Then tried the Baxter cutter. For sure the Klein cutter didn't cut as clean in the same woods. I may have done 100 or maybe 200 boxes. Getting back into that again.... I believe that Baxter does make carbide cutters.

robo hippy

To Robo and Bill and John,
From your replies it's obvious to me (age 75) that I'll only need one HSS cutter Thanks for your help.
Terry