Homebrewed
Really enjoyed your article
Small Face Mill Using Tangential Cutter
I recently made a small face mill that uses a 3/16" diameter HSS rod for the cutter. The idea was to replace an indexable face mill with something that would handle interrupted cuts better (I always seem to chip the inserts). I like the concept of the tangential cutter because they're dead...
www.hobby-machinist.com
You have no idea how long I have been looking for someone to design a simple Tangential Fly Cutter
This design can be built to order to fit the size of the project.
As I am limited to things which can be done on an SX2 Mini-Mill as well.
I also got your Excel spreadsheet design as well many thanks.
This may be a very worthwhile mill project.
I love the single concept of the tangential cutter, I have the Diamond Tool Holders for my C4 Lathe and they work excellent. I spend a lot of time sharpening my tools using the Tormek. while the initial shape takes longer once in the final shape the it requires a touch up it is dead easy and they are super sharp and virtually burr free.
Now you have a challenge to build the same tool to cut the 0.5 inch slot for the arbor, which would also prove another point of it concept. ha ha
Great project and one of the first Fly cutters where someone actually took time to design a simple version which can be scaled to the task at hand. Using the Round Tool HHS Tool Steel Bit makes for an excellent finish. I sent a lot of time in the lab learning to use a Fly Cutter. We used it to provide a precision fit on microwave Waveguide (Plumbing Fittings) many people tried several methods and we found cutting the line to with in 1/6 inch to length and make the precision fitted length using the fly cutter gave the best fit and the guys in the field who then installed the final product never had any issue and the final alignment if the microwave system at the broadband frequencies we were using demanded the extra attention to detail to get the required bandwidth. Then we silver soldered the pieces together. Done correctly there were no seams and no solder infiltration of the connector on the inside which is where precision waveguide is required. the small systems were 3 inch by 1 inch the larger was over 6 inch.
All that has now been replaced with fibre optics.
Great Job
Dave C