Unimat tooling question

[Toolmaker51]

HSS far and away cutting material of choice, high carbon is also well suited.
It's all in the geometry and physics of cutting itself; carbide pushes material off, HSS shears. Observing clearance and rake will generate two collections of turning bits; choice for ferrous and non-ferrous materials.
No matter how well you can grind to sharpen, stoning and honing will increase surface finish quality.
Unimat & EMCO are high quality machines, second perhaps to jeweler lathes, but not built for same work.