Adjustable Countersink/Chamfering Tool 1

[metman]

Hey all you gearheads,

This is the tool that I need a price for to see it it makes sense to buy for a very promising project:

http://www.niko-nikcole.com/fleximills.htm

I have telephoned them and left voice mail and emailed them with RFQ but no response either way. Next I will send a snail mail with RFQ but am guessing they are kapoot?

Anybody know an alternate brand that will do the same thing?

For this particular project I need a 150 degree included angle (angle of cutting lip = 15 degrees from horizontal) carbide countersink. I am guessing that the adjustable tool will cost about the same as a special grind. The Contact I have for special grind is Application Specialties (ASI) in Auburn, Washington and they want a drawing to give me a quote. I am making a drawing but when I found the adjustable tool on-line it seemed like the way to go. Except that I will be performing an interrupted cut on hardened steel (don't know but will guess 50-60 HRC based on application). So likely 4 or 6 flute special grind would be more suitable than the single lip carbide insert in the adjustable tool.

In lieu of a sketch of the part to be machined, visualize in top view: existing hole 1/2" dia open at one end, i.e. U-shaped with an existing 45 degree chamfer (countersunk). The U-shaped opening is what makes for the interrupted cut.

Any comments will be appreciated.

 

[metman]

I forgot to mention that 3/4inch(19mm)diameter of cutter is adequate.

 

[unclesyd]

I tried to link through the Thomas Register and got an error for both the trade group and your link.

Here is one company that was stuck in the windmills. They make all types of specials so you might give them a call.

http://www.vermontindexable.com/Tool_references3.html

 

[metman]

unclesyd,

Thanks very much and one LPS.

Their tool #54 looks like what I need except 75 degrees instead of 15 degrees. I filled out their RFQ form.

But this was actually more help in another way because it gives me ideas to model my own tool with SolidWorks to fit off-the-shelf carbide inserts and make my own holder on my Bridgeport. These are lean times.

 

[Metalfixer]

MSC has them,

http://metalworking.mscdirect.com/C...MWSRCH&PMITEM=79691051&PMCTLG=54&PMT4TP=*LTIP

Larry

 

[mrainey]

http://www.harveytool.com/products/product_detail.php?product_id=81200

Software For Metalworking

http://closetolerancesoftware.com

 

[metman]

Metalfixer,

Was this in the MSC catalog or at MSC website? I missed it because I looked in MSC catalog first but was thinking solid carbide and later found the flexmill via google search at Niko-Nikcole. What MSC is showing for $400+ is Niko-Nikcole's product, i.e. Flexmill. MSC is getting a very healthy markup because Niko finally returned my phone call with a quote of $210. Thanks Metalfixer.

Thank you mrainey. Maybe same tool but for sure equivilent for $280.

It might be that Niko's quote is based on quantity order whereas above prices are for quantity of one. I did not get back to Niko-Trade because my customer came up with an incredibly simpler and less costly solution.

GRIND IT!!!! Duuuhh. This solves the interrupted cut problem and I picked up a 1" dia spherical stone at the hardware today for 2 bucks! Now all I need do is shape it with a diamond on my lathe. We just need a one off prototype. Five chamfers on one piece.

If the proto works, then for production I will be machining annealed or as rolled steel and probably use a tool like unclesyd's link to c'sink the holes while they are still full 360 degree circles and later cut out the U-shapes plus other op's with final Q&T. Or i might even use 17-4 or 17-7 PH S.S. machine in solution treated conditon and age harden. There is not much mass to this part and We do need some good shear strength plus this would preclude need of surface coating.

Thanks again all. Good info for future reference.

 

[unclesyd]

Based on my experience in with PH alloys is much better in the aged condition.

Based on our requirements we use a lot of Conical end mills. Here is a link to the Conical Mill site that might be of interest.

http://www.conicalendmills.com/technicalinfo.htm

 

[metman]

Based on my experience in with PH alloys is much better in the aged condition.

OK I think I get your point and thanks. Annealed PH is probably gummy to machine and of course tough like most S.S. alloys.

I really liked the idea of conical end mills until I see the angle is measured from vertical. They show a max of 45 degree which would be 90 deg included angle and i need 150 deg included angle. But they mention special runs with typical overage so maybe they could have something that strange. I will check with them for production needs if my proto concept works.