Boring Tool as an end mill?

[SV in SD]

Hello all!

This is a great website with lots of information. I am loving it as someone who is just getting into metalworking. For a first post, I have a couple of questions concerning a Criterion Boring Tool.

I have used it a few times on a vertical mill for boring round holes. However, I am curious to know if it is 'safe' to use this as I would an endmill? The forces on the tool would be perpendicular to what it is designed to do, but it seems that small cuts and a slow feed rate should be ok.

Also, has anyone used one of these for boring on a lathe?

Thanks,
Chris

[Mitsui Seiki]

You can use it when counter boring to get the right depth.I wouldn't recommend using it for anything else.

[SV in SD]

Glad I asked!

Thanks for the reply.

[dapoling]

Originally Posted by SV in SD Hello all! This is a great website with lots of information. I am loving it as someone who is just getting into metalworking. For a first post, I have a couple of questions concerning a Criterion Boring Tool. I have used it a few times on a vertical mill for boring round holes. However, I am curious to know if it is 'safe' to use this as I would an endmill? The forces on the tool would be perpendicular to what it is designed to do, but it seems that small cuts and a slow feed rate should be ok. Also, has anyone used one of these for boring on a lathe? Thanks, Chris

In a simple answer, No. and it will not produce a flat bottom for a counter bore.

[mxtras]

Fly cutters are a lot cheaper and more robust. They are also cheaper to tool up. I am assuming you are thinking about using it to face. If not, get yourself an end mill for side milling.

As far as using it on a lathe - yes. You can do that. Not sure why but I can see where if you were doing multiple operations on a manual lathe how it could be handy if used in the tailstock to provide the finish on an existing hole. Was that your intention?

Scott

[Mitsui Seiki]

Originally Posted by dapoling In a simple answer, No. and it will not produce a flat bottom for a counter bore.

It will if you have the right insert.Been doing it for years.

[dapoling]

Originally Posted by Mitsui Seiki It will if you have the right insert.Been doing it for years.

I do not doubt you have been doing it for years, was it designed for that , no. Why damage a $500 plus tool when a $10 endmill or counterbore tool or even a $1.50 drill ground to a flat bottom will do the job?
A decent boring head will produce bores with in .0002-.0003 all day if it is in good shape.

About the lathe, they have boring bars readily available that serves the purpose , I would never use a boring head for a mill in a lathe.

One must respect and take care of their tools and equipment, without them you do not have a job.

Use the right tool for the job.

[Mitsui Seiki]

The tool is not designed for it,I know that.We remove .0008 and the tool is fine.
Why use an extra tool if you don't have to?
I had a little word with Sandvik Coromant before I decided to do it...
They said I could go as far as .001 without damaging the tool.
I got a $1000 bonus for the idea.

[dapoling]

I have retracted what I was going to say in disagreement, but I do stand by what I said above.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by dapoling .....Use the right tool for the job.

But you have to define 'right'.

One definition I use is:

The tool that performs the necessary operation to within the required tolerance at the lowest cost.

When I worked for other people I sometimes got flack because I was applying this principle and using the 'wrong' tool. In my own business it applies all the time.

[dapoling]

Originally Posted by Geof But you have to define 'right'. One definition I use is: The tool that performs the necessary operation to within the required tolerance at the lowest cost. When I worked for other people I sometimes got flack because I was applying this principle and using the 'wrong' tool. In my own business it applies all the time.

Can you be more specific ?, what tool what use....

[cam1]

That's what I love about this trade. 10 people can be given the same job, and will invariably use different methods to produce identical results. The difference sometimes is just the time it takes, and the tools they choose to use.

cheers