Re: Cutting stainless media

missmonkey****ne@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 fired this volley in
news:81d6acd7-e544-427e-97c0-784ffa060c18@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 

> I have heard through the grapevine that a lathe is still the best way
> to cut the stainless rod stock. Can any machinists confirm this?
> 
I should have commented on that.

The answer is "yes and no".  

A very beefy machine with high rigidity and a strong toolholder will part 
stainless adequately.  It's almost never a clean cut -- almost as thready 
and rough as cutting MS.  It tends to hog, grab, and chatter to such an 
extent that it will damage a less-capable machine.

But with the proper setup, it's fast and suitable for heavy production.

When I cut SS on a lathe, the operation is more akin to turning.  I 
reduce the diameter (neck the piece) until it breaks, then face the ends. 

A parting tool (the right way, because you don't waste an inch of 
material per cut) is the means used commercially.

One of the all-out best ways to cut SS rod is with a "cold saw".  This is 
not one of your Harbor Freight high-speed abrasive blade jobs, but a 
large-diameter, high-stiffness circular, large horsepower saw that turns 
at about 20rpm with _extremely_ high pressure and fairly rapid feed 
rates.

LLoyd