Right Hand HSS Tool
Lathe tools—often referred to as tool bits—are the primary cutting tools used for turning and facing operations on a lathe. The most common type is made from high-speed steel (HSS), which is suitable for machining a wide range of materials, including wood, plastic, aluminum, brass, and steel. HSS tool blanks are relatively inexpensive and can maintain their hardness at temperatures up to 1000°F (588°C), making proper control of depth of cut, cutting speed, and feed rate essential.
A major advantage of HSS tools is how easily they can be sharpened. They can be shaped and resharpened using a standard aluminum oxide grinding wheel and, once sharpened, will hold their edge for a long time.
NOTE: A lathe tool is named for the direction the chip exits the tool. A right-hand tool has its cutting edge on the left, causing the chip to peel off to the right.
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Related products


60° Carbide Tool


55° Carbide Insert
While not inexpensive, carbide inserts offer excellent value—each insert provides four cutting edges, significantly reducing the need for frequent sharpening and saving valuable time.
Carbide cutters perform well on hard-to-machine materials like cold-rolled steel and are also effective on aluminum, brass, and leaded steels, offering exceptional durability. However, for the finest finishes on softer metals, a well-sharpened high-speed steel tool still delivers superior results.
This is the 10-pack of replacement carbide inserts for the following tool holders:


3-piece Center Drill Set
Center drills are essential for accurately drilling starter holes in the ends of workpieces, particularly when mounting stock between centers on a lathe. Each drill creates a small pilot hole followed by a 60° countersink, which provides a seating surface for the 60° point of the lathe center.
In milling applications, center drills are commonly used to start holes precisely. The exact hole location can be dialed in using the mill’s calibrated handwheels, and the center drill ensures the hole begins accurately without drifting.
This set includes three double-ended, high-speed steel (HSS) center drills:
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#1 drill: 1/8" shank
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#2 drill: 3/16" shank
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#3 drill: 1/4" shank
The larger shank diameter of a center drill ensures the tip remains centered, reducing the risk of the drill "walking" as the hole is started. After the center drill has established the starter hole, it is replaced with a standard drill bit to complete the hole to the desired diameter.
⚠️ CAUTION: Always use a suitable cutting lubricant and back the drill out frequently during use. This prevents the delicate tip from overheating or breaking off.