I started about the same time you did, and had similar experiences. I like T shaped high speed steel cutter, my quick change tool post takes one about 11/16" high, my secret trick is to grind some rake in the top of the the cutter, I use a small diamond point in a dremel, and so my grind has a little relief and quite a bit of rake. I do not go extremely slow, my lathe will go down to 50 rpm.. I go about 125 on bigger stuff and 200 on smaller stuff, If need be I will move the tool over a bit to widen the groove, to make essentially a new start. I do not get a polished cut on either side, I am just glad to have it parted,