Carbide cutter tips

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Am I right in thinking that carbide cutter tips are mostly used for fast stock removal? and that when you want to apply your finishing cut, you would switch to a HSS bit?

Is that why most hollowing tools come with both carbide and HSS cutter options?
 
I use my carbide tipped tools for everything from start to finish, the options could be due to price difference.
 
It depends on how much sanding you are prepared to do. There are guys at my club who have been turning for 50+ years who can get a finish with a HSS or carbon steel bowl gouge that barely needs sanding. You can't do that with carbide tools, but you can get to the same end result if you don't mind making some dust.
 
There is more to achieving a clean cut that just the choice of metal. Sharpness, tool presentation, angle of cut and bevel (or no bevel) position all play a part.
 

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