On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:56:07 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm, "Ed
Huntress" quickly quoth:


"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message
.net...

Yes it would. C2 is the recommended grade for stainless.

Harold


If you have an older lathe with marginal rigidity and you still want to use
carbide to turn steel, the newer micrograin carbides are more likely to
stand up than any of the traditional grades, including C2. Micrograin
carbides are tougher but they're not quite as wear resistant. On an old
lathe that should make little difference.

Can you recommend any sites or articles for learning more about the
micrograin carbides, Ed? What are the different types used for? I
see C2, C3, and C4 used on saw blades but don't know the differences.


Check with any reputable tool supplier and ask what they have in micrograin
types. Don't bother with coatings; extending tool life at high temperatures
and/or speeds is not what you're after with an older lathe. You just want
something that won't chip. And you'll probably have to sharpen the factory
edge anyway, unless you buy sharpened inserts.

Yes, hardly anything comes sharp from the factory any more.

--
You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
-- Mark Twain