Any machine shop operators here?

[JetEngineMech]

My kid is in a machine shop program and wants some bits but I don't know which to get him. He's going by what his friends are saying for info. Basically, I see a few different styles: brazed carbide insert, carbide tipped, and he says there is a "full carbide" type which I can't even find. It seems to me the replaceable insert type would be best but I was hoping someone here might help me out.

[LagerDrinker]

Talk to Hooty.

BTW, whats he trying to do? porting and polish type stuff?
all the good ones i own are carbide brazed onto shank(or atleast appears brazed with a gold line under head)??? carbide tip sounds like just a coating on edges and full carbides are pretty expensive.

[Big D]

JEM, if it's just a basic shop class, I'd think you wouldn't have any need for carbide for a drill index. My dad was a toolmaker, and I inherited all of his drill indexes; fractional, letter and number sizes, and they are all HSS (high speed steel)

Get all you need at Sears...

[JetEngineMech]

These bits are for turning ang milling, like on a lathe. I don't mind spending the money on the insert style bits if they're better quality.

[Hoosier XLC]

What kinda bits? Drill bits, or are they for an Lathe. If for a lathe, what size bit does he need? Need a bit more info.

[Hoosier XLC]

Can't go wrong with carbide tipped or TIN coated, either one is a bit more cost wise, but lasts longer.

[Hoosier XLC]

Check MSC Industrial Supply Co. Home Page

[Hoosier XLC]

Here's a great reference site for your son.
RTSI - Tooling & Production Articles

[JetEngineMech]

Yep, a lathe 3/8". Thanks for the info!

[Hoosier XLC]

Cobalt is also another good choice, solid 3/8"x3/8" Cobalt tool blank will also let him practice grinding his own tooling, learning reliefs and shoulder clearances and also teach him the correct nose radius' to use for differing materials.

Glad to hear there are kids out there who are still interested in this trade.