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Tool Hollow mill
- Thread starter motordr
- Start date
Tool
Megar arc 5040dd
Super User
Do you mean like an annular cutter?
No idea what you are asking. A drawing or a better description would help.
It’s an end mill that is hollow and cuts on the inside only to a precise diameter, so if you have something like a worn 1” diameter steering ball an a Model A Ford front spindle, you could machine off the worn portion and be left with a 5/8” diameter stub. It’s not a spot racer or hole saw. KBC lists it but has no stock.
I see. Closest thing to that I can think of is an "annular cutter". Properly held with a solid work clamp and nothing to steer them off axis, they work really well. They cut a nice hole on both inside and outside. They also make some funky swarf. You can buy them on amazon for next day delivery.
If you post a link to the KBC product, I could also look at other sources for you.
Unfortunately, it's listed, 'no longer available', from KBC. I think KEO makes them as well. I've had to make a couple for small diameters out of 01 tool steel.
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Hey Stel, what are the advantages of that over an annular cutter?
My two cents are that your hollow endmill would jam up with swarf FAST! I think swarf elimination is a huge advantage for Annular Cutters.
The hollow mill cutter has a large relief bore behind the flutes. I don't think they're really designed for a plunge cut like an annular cutter, but are more for machining a slightly oversized shaft to finish outside dimension on a part that you can't machine normally, like with a boring bar.
In the photo is a pair of extractors for a side by side shotgun. The two halves would be soft soldered together, then the hollow mill would machine the 'tail' to proper dimension, then separated. As you can see, the tail is 2.75" in length, and there's no way you're going to fit a boring bar between the 'tail' and guide pins. And the tail would be too flexible to cut with a single point tool.
The smallest annular I've seen is 7/16", so the hole is? 1/4"? The one I have is 3/32"
The small one I made is to face the bottom of a front bead slightlt so that it will point straight forward.
In the photo is a pair of extractors for a side by side shotgun. The two halves would be soft soldered together, then the hollow mill would machine the 'tail' to proper dimension, then separated. As you can see, the tail is 2.75" in length, and there's no way you're going to fit a boring bar between the 'tail' and guide pins. And the tail would be too flexible to cut with a single point tool.
The smallest annular I've seen is 7/16", so the hole is? 1/4"? The one I have is 3/32"
The small one I made is to face the bottom of a front bead slightlt so that it will point straight forward.
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That makes sense. Especially in light of the OP's request. Nonetheless, I find that annular cutters usually leave a decent finish on the stub.
I've never used annular cutters...yet. I understand they cut a pretty accurate and smooth hole, but what does the plug look like? Probably not so nice or accurate. In essence that's the purpose of using the hollow mill, to create an accurate and smooth "plug".
TorontoBuilder
Sapientia et Doctrina Stabilitas
5/8" shank, or hole?
TorontoBuilder
Sapientia et Doctrina Stabilitas
I'd use the term "stud" over plug and then people may better understand the purpose of the tool.
@thestelster - Here is a core from an annular cut in a 2x4" thick aluminium bar. The core is about 1.4 inches in OD. I believe the OD was 2 inches as well. It's a long ways away from perfect but not really that bad either. It wouldn't take much to clean it up. Steel cores seem to be better. Last but not least, it was done with a 2" long cutter so it had to be pulled out periodically to clear internal swarf that would have prevented a full depth cut. This is a reality that I hadn't expected because the external swarf is just wow!
I like using annular cutters because they leave useful pieces of stock behind.
I like using annular cutters because they leave useful pieces of stock behind.
TorontoBuilder
Sapientia et Doctrina Stabilitas
There is more than one way to skin a cat as they say.
Thanks for teaching me about hollow mills.