Buy Lathe Tool Bits Online in Australia
Lathe Tool Bit Selection — Quick Reference
Lathe tool bits (toolbit blanks) are unground HSS or HSS-cobalt blanks — the machinist grinds them to required profile for turning/boring/facing/threading/parting. Selection turns on material grade, size (square/round/parting), and operation.
| Tool Bit Type | Material | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard HSS Square (Sutton M301) | High Speed Steel | General turning + facing — workshop default for soft + medium steel |
| Cobalt HSS Square (Sutton M302) | HSS + 5% Cobalt (M35) | Stainless + tough alloys — hardness + heat resistance |
| Cobalt M42 (8% Cobalt) | HSS + 8% Cobalt | Hardened + work-hardening alloys — highest HSS performance |
| Round Tool Bits (M300) | HSS | Boring bars + special holders — round profile blank |
| Parting Off Tool Bits (Bordo) | HSS Cobalt | Parting + grooving — narrow flat profile |
| Ground / Pre-Formed Toolbits | HSS / Carbide | Time-saving — supplied with profile pre-ground |
Common sizes: Square: 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1" — match to lathe tool post + workpiece. Round: 1/8" to 1/2" matched to boring bar bore. Critical: grind angles to match material — softer materials = larger relief + rake; harder = smaller. Carbide-tipped indexable inserts have largely replaced HSS for production, but HSS is preferred for one-offs + threading + form tools. Brands: Sutton Tools, Bordo, Maxigear. Companion: lathe tooling, indexable inserts, machining.
Lathe Tool Bits
Lathe tool bits — also called toolbit blanks — are unground cutting tool blanks that the machinist grinds to the required profile for turning, boring, facing, threading and parting operations. They are the foundation of traditional lathe tooling, used in conjunction with a bench grinder and standard tool post.
Sutton Tools, Bordo and Maxigear
AIMS stocks lathe tool bits from Sutton Tools, Bordo and Maxigear. Sutton's M301 series covers standard HSS (high speed steel) square tool bits in a full range of sizes from small precision work up to heavy-duty turning. The M302 cobalt steel series adds 5% cobalt for improved hardness and heat resistance, extending tool life when turning harder materials. Round tool bits (M300 series) are ground for boring bars and special holder applications.
Parting Off Tool Bits
Bordo's HSS cobalt parting-off bevel toolbits are a workshop staple — precision ground with a bevel clearance to reduce drag and heat during cutoff operations. Parting tool bits require careful grinding and setup but are cost-effective for cutoff work on a capstan or centre lathe.
HSS vs Cobalt Steel
Standard M2 HSS is the workhorse grade for general turning of mild steel, aluminium, brass and plastics. M35 cobalt steel (5% cobalt) is harder and retains its edge better at elevated cutting temperatures — the right choice for stainless steel, hardened steels, titanium and other difficult materials. Both grades can be hand-ground to any profile required using a standard bench grinder and dressing wheel.
Square and Round Blanks
Square blanks are the most common form and suit the majority of standard tool post holders. Round blanks are used in boring bars, fly cutters and special-purpose holders. AIMS stocks a range of sizes across both forms — match the blank size to your tool post's holder opening to ensure rigidity and correct cutting height. For production turning where insert indexing is preferred over regrinding, see our SECO indexable inserts.
People Also Ask — Lathe Tool Bits
Q: What's the difference between HSS and carbide lathe tool bits?
HSS (high-speed steel) tool bits are ground to shape for the specific cutting operation — flexible for one-off work, cheap, can be reground in-house. Carbide insert tooling (indexable inserts in toolholders) is the production standard — higher cutting speeds, longer tool life between changes, consistent geometry. For occasional workshop turning, HSS is the simpler choice; for production work, carbide is more economical despite higher per-piece cost.
Q: What HSS tool bit sizes does a workshop need?
Common workshop sizes: 1/4 inch (6mm), 5/16 inch (8mm), 3/8 inch (10mm), 1/2 inch (12mm) square cross-section. Match the tool size to the lathe's tool post — bigger lathes accept bigger tool bits. For initial workshop setup, a multi-pack of 1/4 inch or 5/16 inch HSS blanks lets you grind multiple tool shapes (turning, threading, parting, boring) without buying pre-ground specialty tools.
Q: How do I sharpen a lathe HSS tool bit?
Use a bench grinder with appropriate wheels — typically a coarse 36-grit wheel for stock removal and a fine 60-80 grit for finishing edges. Standard turning tool angles: 7-15° back rake, 10-15° side rake, 8-12° relief angles. The geometry depends on the material being cut and the type of turning (roughing vs finishing). Sharpening freehand is a skill; tool grinding jigs help newcomers produce repeatable geometry.
Q: What's the difference between roughing and finishing tool bits?
Roughing tools have aggressive nose radius and rake — designed for heavy stock removal, leave a rougher finish, can take deeper cuts. Finishing tools have smaller nose radius and shallower rake — designed for light depth of cut and good surface finish. For workshop turning, you typically grind separate roughing and finishing tools rather than try to do both with one. Common practice: rough to within 0.5-1mm of final dimension, then finish to size.
Q: Are pre-ground HSS tool sets worth buying?
For learning lathe work or occasional workshop turning, yes — pre-ground sets cover the common shapes (R/L turning, R/L facing, threading, parting, boring) without requiring grinding skill. For experienced lathe operators, grinding from blanks gives more control over the specific geometry. AIMS stocks both — contact us with your application and we can recommend the right approach.