Recommend some annular cutters

[GeoBruin]

I've had the need to cut some larger holes in mild steel lately and I've got a project coming up where I will need to cut quite a few more. I'm open to a set but I'm also happy to buy them as I need them so if you have a good source I can go back to that would be helpful as well.

I would love a mag drill but I can't quite justify that yet so I'll be running them in my mill/drill with an R8 spindle. To that end, I guess I need a recommendation for a holder as well unless I can just chuck them up in standard collets. I don't envision needing anything larger than 1" and probably nothing longer than 1" DOC unless anyone has a compelling argument for longer tooling. I don't have a knee mill so I'm often limited in the Z axis.

I'm just a hobbyist but I'm willing to invest in tooling.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dr_clyde]

I have mostly Hougen with a few Fein/Jancy/Slugger cutters in the mix.

They've been great. I would have no problem with any industrial brand, really.

My only suggestion is you pick a brand and stick with it, as the pilot pins aren't interchangeable between brands.

I have had no issues holding the cutters in an R8 collet on my bridgeport. If you want to use an R8 x weldon shank adapter you can, but I don't find it necessary for the smaller cutters. I've ran up to 2" in a collet with no problems.

 

[Ign]

If they have a Weldon shank I just throw 'em straight in an R8 collet, 3/4" typically. A holder will eat up a lot of Z space with no knee.

I don't really have recos on brands, haven't used them extensively enough to have an opinion.

Troll AWD for giggles, various random annulars are always on there it seems.

Let us know what you eventually get and how it worked out.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I buy the Jancy Slugger cutters on Amazon. US made HSS with pilot pins.

Both 1 and 2" DOC are readily available as singles and reasonably priced. Good quality, no issues. And like Doc said, all my pilot pins are interchangeable now.

I don't regret doing it that way. Buying a full set or 2 would have cost me a lot more money and had a bunch of sizes I didn't want.

 

[bsaint]

Unshelled sunflower seeds are a wicked **** cutter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Daveyclimber]

I search on eBay for surplus cutters in the sizes I need. I have no desire to pay full retail for these things if possible

 

[macgee]

Are you sure you need 1" DOC ?

Thats some thick sections. Reason why I'm asking is that a favorite among here and not expensive is Blaire Rotabroach cutters. They have two kits sizes, cuts up to a max 1.5" dia.

They also don't require a lot of daylight (Z axis) or HP. They're really nice. Do a search here on GJ on them and you'll see how many people love them. Of course a real full size annular cutter set up is great and cant be beat but it also requires a real money investment.

https://www.blairequipment.com/rotabroach-cutters

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=398396&highlight=Rotabroach