Left hand end mill ?

Assuming you're making reference to a left hand spiral, they are made to counter-act the forces where heavy cuts tend to pull the end mill out of a collet. I suppose the concept is that it's better to have your cut shallow out instead of the end mill pull deeper, which simply leads to the end mill pulling out all the faster if you're doing pocket work and cutting to a bottom instead of through the material. The other negative is if you're cutting near the table and it pulls out unnoticed, you damage the mill table. While they aren't routinely found, nor used, they serve a valuable function and are worth having for that special job where you have problems.

Years ago, when I was making some master tracer templates for the Boeing

747, I scrapped a large superstructure template when a 1" end mill pulled out in just this way. It happens.

Harold

Nice to have when milling round stuff (cnc or rotary table) and the only clamping is a center bolt. And no, I don't have any.

michael

Why not machine a left-handed clamping bolt ?

Ron

Nothing wrong with that idea aside from the fact that most tool boxes have few, if any, left hand taps. Michael's reply was right on the money. Another option is to use the right hand thread and get down VERY hard with the screw so you overcome the cutting force. That can be risky.

Harold

Yeah, that has worked "both" ways for me. That is why there are words like risky and maybe. And phrases like I think.....and well, I thought......

michael

Geez, I hate to admit it, but it reminds me of a time when I had to clamp an irregular shaped piece to the milling table. After using all sorts of step blocks and clamping bolts, I asked a co-worker if he thought the setup was rigid enough. His reply? " If YOU think it is. YOU'RE the one standing near it!" LMAO.. live and learn, Ron

Hey Ron,,

BIG SNIP

So along the same lines philosophically, I wanted to take my air compressor off the truck yesterday. It's a 60 gallon vertical. I've laid some 10 foot planks from the 4 foot high trailer deck to the ground, and I wheel stuff down on a good 2 wheel cart as I can. Anyway, when I came to the compressor, I thought I'd give it a try, betting myself it would be OK, even though it's kind of top heavy. As I approached the edge and the planks, I asked myself just how confident I really was, 'cause it was a $900 bet I was making with myself! Only took half hour to get the starter, motor, and compressor off. Made it a much safer "bet".

Take care.

Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario.

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