When I first started metalworking I insisted on trying carbide in spite
of what I was told. It never did work well for me on my atlas lathe.

I have a friend who has been a machinest, model maker, and tool and
die maker for years. He still grinds and uses lots of HSS. He has taught
me a lot and NOW I listen to him. One time I was making a crankshaft
out of 4140. I sort of figured I would need to use carbide because 4140
is pretty damn tough stuff. Surface finish resembled sandpaper.
I changed to HSS with cutting oil at 50FPM and it worked much better.
Just like my friend said it would!
chuck