..... an old machinist buddy of mine says I need something more robust......
Why? Can your lathe use more?
Are you making normal sized guns or ones for tanks and battleships?
Bigger machines can use bigger tooling when needed. Small and fine work is best done with what looks like wimpy tools.
Assume your current tools are like the Rouse set pointed to above.
While workable and I do use this style in-house the problem with them is that they locate the insert off of one wall only so sometimes (often?) things move on you.
They will cut a "kind of thread", .....just not a real nice one....... Yes I've done it with this tool set way more than once and had workable results but I'm a hack.
Fixed pockets are simply better all around.
Turning tools this means two walls. Not sure you want to go into negative tooling as smaller lathes are not happy in this world of carbide.
In threading it's mostly ER laydowns or Top-Notch type.
A top notch will also do accurate grooving, a older version of such is the standup triangle TN- NG, NV, NA which also works well in low-mid hp applications. The ER world gets confusing if you have many different threads.
So many choices....
..Life was easier in the old days.
Beware insert prices or capability of use. The Pez dispensers are cheap overall. It's the candy that goes in them that picks away at your wallet.
On the other side of the equation inserts are like Doritos "eat them up, we'll make more".
Bob