Rotabroach TCT vs HSS

[Spark plug]

As above, which is best?

 

[brightspark]

depends on how much your doing and how hard the material is how longs a piece of string

 

[MattH]

TCT.

What's best cost performance ratio?

Depends.

 

[Spark plug]

I've only ever used HSS cutters, I need a 50mm cutter and was wondering wheather there is any advantage in getting a TCT one.

 

[MattH]

You'll be able to run the tct at a higher speed. Or to put it another way you might struggle to run the HSS one slow enough at 50mm.

 

[brightspark]

I've only ever used HSS cutters, I need a 50mm cutter and was wondering wheather there is any advantage in getting a TCT one.

only if your doiing loads and wearing them out

 

[Spark plug]

As I suspected no real advantage to TCT unless you have serious graft for it to do.

I usually find most people kill Hss by not keeping them cool, resulting in TCT being assumed to be superior because of misuse.

 

[Spark plug]

On the subject of rotabroach cutters, is the spring loaded pilot pin required if I where to use them in the mill? Just the proper r8 holders are expensive and Bering of the greedy type could I not just hold the cutter in a collet or end mill holder?

 

[balmerchris]

On the subject of rotabroach cutters, is the spring loaded pilot pin required if I where to use them in the mill? Just the proper r8 holders are expensive and Bering of the greedy type could I not just hold the cutter in a collet or end mill holder?

I use cutters in a pillar drill with no pin the only thing that happens is the slug doesn't pop out but it's no big problem picking it out with a welding rod.

 

[Jim Davey]

The pin would be redundant except for the fact it is also used to eject the slug after the hole is cut. It would be a pain to have to remove the cutter each time to clear it.

 

[Spark plug]

That would be a pain taking the cutter out each time but I might try it first before getting an arbour see how I get on.

 

[balmerchris]

Usually the slug breaks through with a large burr on the edge, I just pick the burr from the outside of the cutter, no need to remove the cutter from the chuck or whatever your holding it in.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I've only used the cutters in a proper mag drill but despite spring loading behind they sometimes jam in the cutter.
It's never even crossed my mind that it could be dismantled to get the piece out, all I've ever done is find something (normally a welding rod stub) to nudge it out. On a really stubborn piece I may need to nudge it from two sides, hardly a big deal.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Just to add don't try stacking plates when using a rota broach on a mill or pillar drill as the large burr formed as it breaks through stops the teeth cutting the second plate.