Hi guys, hope it's ok here, thought I'd post just once to keep all my dumb questions together, I do search and read as much as possible but there are some things I just need to ask so be gentle ;)
Just getting started in this hobby although I've been interested in metal working and machining for a very long time. I've built a workbench and have the lathe on it with a mill arriving in a few weeks when they get off the boat.
Here's the bench I made, that grinder has now gone and been replaced by a much better one with a 40mm aluminium oxide wheel. The mill will be going where the grinder is now as the workbench will be extending along to the left.

So onto the first question, one of the tools I bought is a Glanze Clamp Type Indexable Parting Tool (
http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_Parting_Tools_82.html) all seems to work fine I'm just a little concerned about the state of the insert after some light duty.
I've parted off 5-6 bits of delrin varying from 6-25mm, a couple of bits of very soft 8mm ali rod from homebase and a 6mm bit of this
http://www.wlcooke.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_46_47&products_id=1330.
All was done at a slower rpm than specified as I'm a big girl and still getting used to things ;)
The tip now looks like this :-

Is the coating just worn off or is it finished?
Totally unrelated but is there a way to get rid of all the smilies when you're posting as boy do they get in the way.
Thanks in advance.
............Rikk