Tee Slot Cutters

[Turbinedoctor]

I am looking at doing a project that will require a tee slot cutter, what should I know before buying one or any?

Dont know the exact sizes I will be needing just yet.

[stevec]

Doc, I have a couple, they worked fine, still got 'em, besides that what do you need to know?

[Turbinedoctor]

Is there a standard depth of cut for the diameter. If I am getting a 3/4" wide cutter is there a standard depth or thickness I can expect it to be?

The one I am looking at don't mention this.

[Turbinedoctor]

Was looking at the Grizzly web site, not much detail there. Now looking at Shars, they have more details listed. price is slightly higher but not much.

[DaveH]

Hi Turbo,

Metric cutters the depth of cut is standard, for a particular diameter.

Not sure about inch ones.

DaveH

[Turbinedoctor]

When cutting a tee slot, how much clearance is needed above the diameter of the shank that is just above the cutter. Say it is for a 1/4" bolt and the shank dia is .250 how much extra should I allow?

[DaveH]

Turbo,

See if this helps http://www.icscuttingtools.com/catalog/page_281.pdf

DaveH

[Turbinedoctor]

Yep that helped. Thanks.

[PixMan]

What exactly are you cutting T-slots for?

A lot of people confuse Woodruff key cutters for T-slot cutters such as those shown in the link. Another good source of quality T-slot cutters is F&D Tool of Three Rivers Massachusetts.

http://www.fdtool.com/cubecart/index.php...lotcutters

Better-off buying theirs from distributors. Another is Victor Machinery Exchange. The F&D Tool stuff is top-quality American Made stuff, and priced accordingly. A distributor would discount from list.

http://www.victornet.com/subdepartments/.../1860.html

The important thing to do is to first cut the full depth and narrow width (bolt clearance) before going in with the T-slot cutter.

[Tony Wells]

Cut the original slot, like PixMan said, but go about 0.010/0.015 deeper than the "bottom" of the tee slot will be.