Bought these cutting tools

[Dave C]

Ran across this on Amazon for $58. Looked like a good deal, so I went for them. I hope I won't be sorry. They came yesterday and look pretty good. What do y'all think?

ASZLBYM 5/8" 36PCS Indexable Carbide Lathe Turning Tool Insert Holder Bit Set MTJNR1616H16 + MWLNR1616H08 + MCLNR1616H12 with CNMG 431 + WNMG 431 + TNMG...
Size:5/8" right holder + 30pcs insert

[I make chips]

They'll work fine for you.
Now take those insert numbers and go on ebay. Punch them in and try a A or AL as a suffix You'll get the polished inserts with the sharp edges for aluminum. These work great on most materials and as a hobbyist we're not looking for max depth and speed of cuts which will overwork the tips. You'll find these require a lot less tool pressure and you can spin the work fast with good finishes.

[Dave C]

Thanks, Imc I'll check eBay as you suggest. These holders are a perfect fit for my Bostar BXA QCTP.

[BCRider]

I've seen those sets too. I resisted due to the need to keep three styles of inserts on hand. But the good news is that you get to try out three different styles of inserts and decide which format suits you the best. So future tooling could be all in the one insert style.

I second chips' idea to look into the aluminium inserts. I've gone triangle for my very limited inserts work since I'd bought a HORRIBLE little set of holders years ago which take the TCMT style inserts. So to experiment I bought a ten tray each of inserts intended for steel and aluminium. The aluminium inserts are more delicate but they do a lovely job of light finish cuts on steel. And of course do fine on aluminium.

EDITED- Oh wait. I see on second glance that the inserts and holders are all neutral rake. I'm not sure if the aluminium inserts come in neutral.

I like the idea of neutral rake and the sloped holders for doing heavier roughing cuts. But I found that they didn't really like to do finer cuts. But that was some time back with only one style of TNMG insert. So YMMV.

[Dave C]

I was at first a little put off by the neutral rake aspect, but decided to try them and see if they work out or become drawer dollies.

[andywander]

Guys-those are "negative rake" toolholders, not "neutral rake".

And positive rake is built into the inserts themselves, by the molded shape of the cutting edges.

Obe advantage to this type of tool is that you can flip the inserts over, and get twice as many cutting edges.

[Dave C]

andywander you are right about the negative rake. I read BCRider's post, and the neutral rake thing stayed in my head. They are negative rake for sure, and I'm feeling pretty good after seeing the same set on eBay for a lot more $$. ASZLBYM 5/8" 36PCS Indexable Carbide Lathe Turning Tool Insert Holder Bit Set MT | eBay

[I make chips]

The aluminum inserts are 'very' positive rake. So even if your holders had a ~7 degree negative rake you'll still be a net positive rake with the aluminium inserts

[BCRider]

DOH! I've no idea where the "neutral rake" thing came from. Well, I sort of think of them that way because the inserts themselves are "neutral" what with their edges being at 90 to the upper faces. It's the holders that supply the negative rake. But you're right, the inserts are normally, other than by me apparently , referred to as negative rake inserts.

The aluminum inserts are 'very' positive rake. So even if your holders had a ~7 degree negative rake you'll still be a net positive rake with the aluminium inserts

The slope in the holders would actually double up or nearly enough the rake of the insert. So if the insert is also 7° then the edges at the cutting tip would actually see both add up to a 14'ish degree front rake. At that point I think I'd be more concerned over the load of the cut pulling the edge away into the cut. Certainly still fine for final finishing cuts of a very few thousandths. But perhaps a bit of a risk if one tried to remove anything a little more aggressive.