Annular Cutters

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I imagine a lot of folks use these, but I thought I'd put it out there for those who aren't familiar with them.These guys are a great way to turn a low power drill press, or milling machine, into a hole drilling demon.Holders are available in Morse Taper 2, and R8.  The holders, and cutters are pretty pricey, but holes up to 2 inch dia. are possible with relative ease.  Cutters come in lengths from 1-3 inches, and I believe I've seen some 4 inchers.  Coolant is a must unless you don't mind a lot of re sharpening.  They were originally made for mag drills, but with the available adapters, are now capable of use on conventional shop machines.  Longer tool life, lower power requirements.Probably sound like a sales type   I just like 'em that much.  Beats the daylights outta drill bits.You can usually get a pretty good price on Ebay if ya shop around Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Yup, they sure work good don't they. I was drilling 15/8" holes with one yesterday and more to do tomorrow. Use them up to 21/2"x4" in the radial drill with coolant inducers. Can pop a 21/2" hole in 1" plate in 20 seconds.
Reply:I use them all the time on mag drills at work.
Reply:if you could just drill multiple pieces without backing the bit off they would have no drawbacks for shop work but somebody has to sit and watch the drill so drilling multiple plates you may as well use a standard bit for fewer man hours on the job.
Reply:Originally posted by idacal:if you could just drill multiple pieces without backing the bit off they would have no drawbacks for shop work but somebody has to sit and watch the drill so drilling multiple plates you may as well use a standard bit for fewer man hours on the job.
Reply:I expect these cutters make nice round holes on the first pass, not triangular like a twist bits often do on a first pass no matter how slow the feed rate or pre-drilling smaller holes.It looks like use-enco.com offers some not pictured in their catalog as "rotobroaches". Item numbers 308-0159, 308-0160, 308-0161, 308-0162 are kits, 9/16 through 1-1/16, depths of 1 and 2 inches, HSS and TiN-coated, all with 3/4" shanks.  You would need a pretty fat chuck for a shank that big!Farmersamm: Can you offer any links for on-line suppliers?-MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:where do you get those cutters
Reply:I'm no good at posting links, I always screw it up.You can get the holders from Penn Tool (Dolfa tooling), Wholesale Tool, and a few Ebay Stores.The best price on the cutters is usually on Ebay.  Do a search..  "annular cutters".  It generally shows up in the business and industrial section.  It's the only way I can afford them.  I don't know if they'd run in a regular chuck.  Somehow I don't think so.  Too much torque.  I've never tried it.  The cutters have 2 Weldon flats at 90 degrees from each other.  Holders have 2 set screws to match."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:thanks,  farmersamm great post and good idea.