HSS vs 304SS

[Christopher Knight]

I recently learned that the parent of one of the boys in my sons cub scout pack is a machinist. He offered to make the metal portion of the tools I use for turning. High Speed Steel is expensive, but he has 304 Stainless that he can use for free. My question: Is 304 Stainless a good metal to use for tools?

[Dennis Ford]

304 is much too soft for cutting tools

[Matt Owen]

+1. HSS will hold an edge much longer. In my experience, SS is more difficult to machine than HSS (M2 or A2). 01 is much cheaper and can be used, but will need to be heat treated after machining. I can't get 01 to hold an edge as long as I have with M2, A2, or even D2.

Matt

[Rob Cunningham]

304 stainless is too soft for turning tools plus it can't be heat treated.
M-2, A-2, D-2 or CPM-10V would be a better choice.

[Don Geiger]

Stainless steel will not hold and edge.


Don

[David Walser]

As others have noted, 304 Stainless will not hold an edge. However, that doesn't mean it's useless in toolmaking. It can be used to hold a HSS (or carbide) bit. From that perspective, having access to free(!) 304 SS would be a boon to a budding tool maker.

[Christopher Knight]

Thanks to everyone who posted. I will have to see what prices he can get for HSS.