The lazy man’s fly cutter

[Sonic EscapeParticipant @sonicescape38234]

I’ve wanted to make a fly cutter for a long time but never had the time. Once again, it turns out that laziness leads to optimal solutions. I have a faceplate with a MT3 mount for a 125mm chuck, which I use on my lathe. This morning, it occurred to me to move the chuck to the milling machine and clamp a cutter into it. It works really well!

 

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

The flywheel effect of the heavy chuck probably improves finish and keeps the cutter more stable as it inters the cut. Which would seem to be an advantage on smaller machines.

Not completely convinced about pull out resistance with the cutter clamped canter wise between the three jaws tho’.

Clive

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Same as Clive, not totally convinced about clamping tool like that but top marks for the flywheel effect of the chuck.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

I’m not totally convinced that dodge could be used on a machine with plastic gears very often given the inertia involved.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

I’d be concerned about the cutter being flung out too. A bit of round bar with an angled slot milled in it and two or 3 set  screws would not be hard to make and more secure.

Robert.

[Author]

Posts