Flycutters: useful or just a pain in the ass?

S

Shepherd

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Tried to level a piece out using a store bought standard flycutter, the ones that use a 3/8" HSS bit, ground a few different shapes, cut well to begin weith, but by the time I'd covered the entire 4x6 pice, it seems the bit shifts a few thou higher...

There are twio tiny hex screws I tried cranking down, even ground a little groove for them to seat in, but it seems to just pivot in the groove...I am taking very light cuts on my Craftex 3 in 1...the work piece is very solidly clamped to the table, what's the deal?

thanks!
 
Steve,

Fly cutters have been around forever and are very useful tools. If you are having trouble with the tool moving, it is either ground wrong or the set screws holding it are inadequate. Check the clearances on your tool and make sure nothing is dragging. The fly cutter I use has three #8 set screws to hold the tool bit, maybe your needs to be modified for larger screws or more of them.

Tom
 
Swing's about 2.5"....I tried the curved grind I found on the web. Again, cut well at the start, but the bit shifts. Should I try less of a curve and more of a point on the bit?
 
point will make for less resistance but not a very smooth finish. Try adding more set screws as recommend. Slow feed helps with smoothness also
 
was running about 800...will try to slow it down and see how it goes. I'll redrill and tap for bigger screws too.
 
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