Good lord.. i wouldnt imagine one could part off that big of a pieces.. i always but stuff in the band saw and have an hour of "turn, swear, restart, turn a bit more, swear alot more".. well and on it goes..
I have been starting to abandoned my carbide insert tools as well lately.. Im just getting tired of swapping tips all the time.. So now well it seems i need to buy some 3/4" wide parting blades. =)