Hal
Good to have you on board. One of my lathes is the Mastercraft equivalent of
the single tube. Ruth used to turn on one as well until she got her General.
People will crap on it but I find it still to me a good and dependable
machine when used within its limits.
Carbide tipped tools were a novelty a while ago. They were going to be the
be all and end all of turning tools because they seldom need sharpening.
Unfortunately they are also a pain to sharpen because they need a special
wheel and also they will not sharpen as finely as HSS or high carbon steel.
High carbon steel takes the finest edge but will not hold it long under the
conditions that we turn especially for artistic turning with burls and bark
edged pieces that may have bits of grit left in the bark from felling. HSS
seems to be the best compromise with ease of sharpening and an edge that
retains well.
That said, all you need to sharpen the carbide tools is the proper wheel.
Diamond if you feel rich and green carbide otherwise. Busy Bee and Lee
Valley both had them the last I checked.
Here is a wee bit of advice. Save yourself a lot of agravation and make or
buy a sharpening jig. There is one on my site to copy (nothing to sell but I
like shooting off my own horn). It will do the job of a $200 jig and I think
mine cost about $2.50.
Welcome, have fun, check in here often, they are a great bunch of guys and
gals, and happy new year.

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com


wrote in message
oups.com...
Greetings!
A few questions from a total newbie, if I may...I searched the
archives, but couldn't find either question addressed. So, here goes!
I just acquired a very old, but excellent condition Craftsman lathe
(single tube). So (I'm told) I should kiss the rest of my disposable
income goodbye. s

Said lathe "came" with a set of Craftsman tools, listed as
"Carbide tipped". Sure enough, they seem to be. Can anyone
suggest the best way to sharpen them? Any particular type wheel, etc?
If they were HSS, I'd be OK. I'm just not sure if carbide has any
particular quirks I need to be aware of...

Also, are the carbide tools worth reconditioning? Or would I be better
off obtaining newer, HSS stuff? I don't mind sharpening them, and it
would seem like a shame to throw them out.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

ATdHvAaNnKcSe

Hal