Jon Elson wrote:

Any comments? (I'm going to try to get a better set on eBay, and
in the 1/2" holder size, with 3/8" IC inserts. I assume the larger

Make your own. I did.
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/to...oolholder.html

My machine is comparatively light so I use TNMPs but TNMG's work well in
the same holders if you have the power and rigiditiy for negative rake.

Anyone have any comments on the strength and reliability of the
5-pc holder sets that everybody sells?

I do NOT like the price! It took me a couple hours to make two sets of
my design. I keep one set loaded with inserts for ferrous and one with
inserts for non-ferous. I've broken a few inserts when I've really
screwed up but have yet to break or bend a holder.

Also, does anyone have
any recommendations for a general-purpose insert, chipbreakers,
positive or negative rake, etc? I have been using a couple of different
inserts that I managed to get at a good price, all positive rake with
molded-in chipbreaker. Now that I have a lathe with the power and
rigidity to use negative rake tooling, does anyone have any recommendations
for those? (I'm a bit leery of buying a bunch of inserts at $9.50 ea
with toolholders running $50 - 100 at the usual machinist supply
outfits like J&L and MSC without some word on others' experiences
with them.)

Do read my article.

Ted