🔧 Steelex M1096 Cutting Tool Bits Review

As mentioned, tool steel "bits" are not shaped for use. You have to grind them to shape them. If you don't, you'll end up with a lousy finish and make a lot of noise trying to fix things. The set screws are very soft steel - so soft that they can be easily bent - if they do not loosen, do not use too much force; simply "pop open" the allen wrench and tap the back of the wrench on your elbow with a light mallet.

These fly cutters are fine. They left a reasonably good finish on aluminum, 6061, 015″ DOC, 1700 rpm. My cutting grind wasn't the best but it still came out ok. --------- UPDATE 05/04/2017 The bits that come with it don't cut it for steel, they really don't hold up to a 1018. I took out the HSS bit and put Harbor Freight's Cheapo Grande Milled Carbide Beer in it. It worked great and cut very well on some 1018s. I had no other use for these carbide bits so I figured why not? I resharpened them…

Based on other reviews I didn't bother to try the included HSS blanks (waste time grinding them?). Instead, I was inspired by another reviewer's approach to using carbide turning tools. I had several similar inexpensive bits so I rotated the shank to fit the largest of the three holders. I wanted to see if I could do a decent single pass surface on a 2x4 block with a good knot. Not too much of a challenge for this holder and it worked well for such a long extension (3.5" circle). The surface…