I have a new tool post for my lathe:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7596326685

Now I'm moving into the tooling phase. I'm told to avoid the cheap sets
of insert tooling which offer five tools in one set(each at a slightly
different angle),because the inserts tend to break easily, there is no
carbide anvil to support the inserts, and the inserts are more
expensive than common industrial ones.

I'm guessing that the reference was to sets like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7542676470

The designations for the inserts are still confusing because it seems
like every manufacturer uses their own numbers. The only way to know
which are quality tools, what the numbers mean, and the ease and cost
of insert replacement is to ask those who have experience.

So can anyone give me recommendations?

Now. I would like to cover all bases with as much ridigity as possible.

A) Facing
B) Turning
C) Boring
D) Threading(Outside)
E) Threading(Inside)
F) Cut-off(Parting)/Grooving

Any thoughts on these?(Or they also the "cheap" tools that I'm told to
avoid?).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7586286270
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7553892781

Thanks a lot.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.