Do these tools still exist?

[Peter Shaw 5Participant @petershaw5]

50 years ago I worked full time as a production engineer but still found time to make a few models.

Children and familly took away my time and rust decided try to eat all my models.

I decided that quite a lot of restoration was needed. One of the many places needing work was the flats around bolt holes for seating nuts.

The tools that I used, all those years ago, at work I called spot-face cutters and Martin Evans and L.B.S.C. called pin-drills.

Being too lazy to make one, I tried to buy one but Google could only find acne cures or chucks for very small drills. None of the usual ME suppliers seem to have them.

Hare these cutters changed their name, are they still made and if so where can you buy them?

Thanks

[Peter Shaw 5Participant @petershaw5]

[Nigel BennettParticipant @nigelbennett69913]

Simply Googling "Counterbore" gave a lot of options!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I googled "spot facing cutter" and got plenty of results, even a few back facing ones too. Try this

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Someone will doubtless disagree, but I would likely resort to a suitably sized end mill. I would, of course, fit a washer between nut and surface … unless using special nuts.

[JAParticipant @ja]

Drill Services (Horley) sell counterborers. I can recommend them, if the cutter is in stock it will arrive on the next working day. They are suppliers to industry, not model engineers, but they are happy to accept anyone's money. Their web site is very comprehensive.

JA

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Might be a little large, but how about one of these or similar.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Feast your eyes on the ‘Robert Charles’ brand, Peter: **LINK**

https://www.bsaregalcuttingtools.co.uk/about/

I only have a few, in small sizes, but they are superb

MichaelG.

[Peter Shaw 5Participant @petershaw5]

Thanks for all the replies.Must improve my Google skills!

My only problem now is how to afford them!

Pete

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Arc Euro list a range of counterbores to suit threads from M3 up to M12, in HSS, and a set with interchangeable pilots, to produce counterbores from 8.5 mm to 16.5 mm diameters

Howard

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned ArcEuroTrade. The seem to stock a number of sizes at reasonable prices.

I bought a couple when I first started out but got caught out, in my ignorance, by the pilot diameter. I was unaware that the pilot was ground to fit a clearance hole. All my drilled holes were clearance sized, even at the drill's stated size. I didn't know then that most, if not all drills make oversized holes – just not quite proper clearance size!

You live and learn. I'm pleased to say that I'm still doing both.

John

[egaParticipant @ega]

I believe Arc also do sets with interchangeable pilots.

The excellent Granlund counterbores are an expensive alternative but sometimes available more reasonably on eBay.

I note the OP's preference for purchasing these but if a simple spot-face is needed one can readily be made in the shop.

Edited By ega on 20/04/2021 10:39:49

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If cost is an issue they are not hard to make, have a look at this thread you can then also size the pilot to suit your needs

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

You can make pin drills from silver steel. Make or buy? It depends on what your time is worth to you. If you buy counterbores I suggest going for those with interchangeable pilots.

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