Flycutter Tool Geometry vs. Chipped Parts

In this video I'll explain why you may be blowing the edges and corners off your plastic parts when using a flycutter. I'll show you 2 different tool profiles and suggest the better of the 2 for the best results. Take a Look.

[@HolzMichel]

great demo again Joe, one thing about the "smear" edge: sometimes you'll never get away from chipping no matter how sharp the tool so a sacrificial piece sandwiched against it will eliminate any chipping. works great on wood too by the way

[@joepie221]

That sandwich technique has saved my bacon on more than one occasion. you are spot on.

[@joandar1]

The chipping of the plastic solution is self explanatory once you have been shown and your solution makes perfect sense. Being I rarely have to Mill plastics I have not encountered this problem and now probably will not because you have wised me up. Thank you Joe. John, Australia.

[@davelee5605]

Every hobby machinist on the planet thinks he knows how to grind Fly-Cutter tool bits. Most of us do not. Thx for clearing up some fuzzies. Every time I come here, I learn more. Great simple Vid...

[@drickard67]

This is the one I've been waiting for... well broken down and explained.

[@TAWPTool]

It was my pleasure to fly you both home to Austin Joe, and a real surprise that I was able to meet you! Thank you for yet another great video!

[@joepie221]

I hope your schedule allows for that shop visit in July. I'd be happy to show you around. Keep me posted.

[@allanmanning5131]

Hi Joe, My name is Allan Manning I am a retired welder from UK, and I have always had an interest in machine shop, so I have set up shop in my garage. Through people like you and Tubalcain and others I am enjoying my new hobby. It is great that experts like you take time to teach us newbies the proper way to do things. I have learned a lot from watching your videos. I had put my fly cutters in the back of the tool drawer, because I just wasn't getting good results. After watching this video the light has come on and I now believe just what I have been doing wrong. Thanks a lot I can,t wait to get back into the shop and get my fly cutters out and practice what you have just taught me

[@JL-bw7is]

I learn something every time I watch you, Thanks.

[@quiettime6871]

Always with the advanced tips, thank you Joe Pie. I really appreciate that you give your speeds and feeds many KZbinrs do not. Keep up the great content

[@mikesargent2139]

Thank you very much for posting this video. Besides pointing out common problems that can occur when using a fly cutter, you explained the root cause (forces being applied in the cutting process), which in turn made the solution make sense. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@filandrodipaolo1645]

As always, a HUGE thank you to Joe for sharing those tips who saves a lot of time!!

[@rogueart7706]

Excellent lesson Joe Pie....the best solutions are always simple, it just takes a teacher to point them out. Thanks a bunch.

[@georgestone1282]

Great information on FLY CUTTERS . I have been watching for some time now. Enjoyed every minute.

[@davidl.579]

Love your simple no frills easy to digest uncluttered vids. Been doing this stuff my whole life and am still learning. Thank you Teach!

[@yankeemachineworks6115]

Great demo as always !!! The same tool shaping theory can be applied to shaper tools...Watch the exit quality and burr of the shaper cut at the end of the cut as the tool leaves the part...shear & smear applies here too as well as tool lead angle as you showed in this demo. An improperly ground shaper tool may cut beautifully but tear the exit edge all to hell. Same tool geometry corrections as you demonstrated in this video apply to this problem too. So much fun to experiment and re-learn the old-school skills.

[@brianjohnson217]

Hi Joe I've just watched your video lesson on flycutter tool setup. As always your lesson is very interesting. Been a mechanic all my life so i'm self taught on engineering . But thanks to your lessons you're smoothing things out for me . RESPECT

[@danthemancasey]

Amazing demonstration of how varying single point tool geometry determines quality of surface and edge finish. Clear and concise.

[@Robonthemoor]

This man never ceases to amaze me. & we all thought a fly cutter was fool proof. Well done Joe.

[@joepie221]

Thanks for checking in.

[@Robonthemoor]

Joe Pieczynski I would be a fool not to.

[@Tools4Machines]

So glad we got to meet at the Bar-Z Summer Bash and cool that you were able to share the whole experience with your son. Great explanation and demonstration of the flycutter. Cheers, Gary

[@stanwooddave9758]

Thanks so much for sharing Joe. Answered so many of the problems I've encountered when using a fly cutter. The fly cutter was always my last resort, but not no more. A big Texas thank you.

[@MaturePatriot]

Another top notch, educational, machining video. Thank you for educating me on the cutters, for flycutters. Makes perfect sense.

[@ericgabriel3679]

Love the way you explain yourself it’s simple and to the point excellent!

[@johntenhave1]

Another extremely insightful lesson, Joe. Thank you for taking the time. Every time I watch your videos i go back to school, and wonder why I did not think as deeply about defects on parts when I made them. Everytime I go out to the bench now, something you have mentioned resonates with the task at hand.

[@joepie221]

Thanks for that.

[@shannonstebbens6992]

Just re-watched this video so I could take notes; once again the light-bulb in my brain illuminated. Thank you Joe!

[@turningpoint6643]

While I machine very little plastic there's not a hope in hell I'd ever have figured out to grind the tool tip into that shape to prevent blowing out the corners. More than logical AFTER it was explained Joe. Not even sure there still available, but years ago I bought a 5/8ths shank fly cutter that uses round carbide tips on the tool tip. Made by New Dimension I think? Unless you do something really stupid and break the carbide in half it's dirt cheap to run since the tip can be rotated as it wears or in case it chips the edge. It gives a great finish on anything I've tried it with. About all I could add that most home shop guys either don't know or seem to forget is a single tooth fly cutter in metal is a finishing tool. There hard on the drive splines and probably spindle bearings at large depths of cut. Lot's of YT videos around where you can hear those splines hammering back and forth every time the tool tip enters the cut since there cutting more than the tool should be. Maybe I'm being a bit too conservative, but for that reason I limit mine to about .010" in steel and use it as a finishing tool and not for bulk metal removal. That's what face mills are for so there's always more than one tip buried in the cut and there's always a constant load on the drive splines.

[@JohnBare747]

Thanks again Joe for another tasty slice of Pie, great tips from the Lord of the Fly Cutter.

[@jayman1601]

I'm glad you went over this. I could never get a straight answer on how to set up a fly cutter properly.

[@drjohn148]

Learned something again, Joe. Many thanks for doing the video.

[@miles32323]

Amazing demonstration on how tool geometry can effect your cut. Great stuff!

[@19jaredbarsuglia81]

I wish you had a phantom slo mo camera. Your teaching combined with live action footage is incredible. Thank you.

[@MalJ-eb7nv]

Thank you Joe. Another very useful piece of machining information to add to the 221 others. Your videos really add to viewers knowledge. I seek out and look forward to your videos and see them as my night school training in machining!

[@rexmundi8154]

Very helpful. I’ve recently started machining PEEK in a Haas DM-2. The parts need a very fine surface finish and the corners do blow out sometimes. I changed the order of operations around so it gets profiled after, but some parts have steps in them below the top surface . With a lot of micro features, the parts have a very long cycle time and one little flaw can undo a day or 2’s work. And every part is a one off. Not to mention the fact that PEEK is so expensive. We just got a new Prototrak mill so I can pre-process the material and do some of the part modification that engineering sends back after testing. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@CalvinEdmonson]

That worked really well, A beautiful cut. Once you see this there is no other way. Great job and thanks.

[@tandemwings4733]

You know! This is one of the most outstanding videos I have ever seen. Excellent presentation.

[@k5at]

It was great to finally meet you at the bash. I always learn so much from your videos!

[@rynohorn3819]

You inspired me to grind up a new hss tool blank and try out fly cutting on my old ass manex mill. Cut steel first then a block of aluminum stock I got from the guy who sold me the lathe and mill. Worked out great. Nice finish. I feel a bit more confident farting with the mill feed and speed with the fly cutter. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@parlinate7314]

Thank you Joe for all the content...keep up the good work and great lighting and video....

[@MrJugsstein]

Hi Joe thanks great board and practical demo. Had not even crossed my mind but so obvious with the drawing. Glad to hear you enjoyed the bash. Tks Will

[@Mrgoodnyt]

Honestly one of the best channels I have found, an amazing resource of knowledge. thank you Joe for taking the time to make these videos.

[@joepie221]

Thank you very much.

[@antigen4]

one of the most useful videos i've ever seen here

[@sharkrivermachine]

Good information. It was nice meeting you at the Bash. I am sorry that we didn't have more time to talk but we were both busy all day. I also missed giving you a channel sticker. I am mailing one out to you. Maybe next year.

[@skeeter50001]

Joe, great content and good lesson. I think you desire more thumbs up that one. Thanks for showing us this method to correct our mistakes.

[@scottthornton9237]

Once again, very informative and useful explanation and demonstration! Congrats on hitting that 40,000 mark!

[@Jesse-s-Thoughts]

Thank you for the education and sharing your experience

[@jimfairbanks6544]

Hi Joe, Great as always, congrats on 40 thousand, and many more. Keep them coming. Thanks again. Jim

[@joepie221]

Thank you. I am grateful and very flattered by the support.

[@bigdawgsbusa2]

On point Joe keep em coming, it makes sense. In the eighties I was the go to guy for grinding our custom knifes for our wood shaper, the boss would always ask why I ran them the way I did.They notice no blow outs at the end of a run, if it works use it right.

[@derinteriors]

Was great meeting you at the Bash. Thanks for sharing the details on the flycutting tools tool. Probably could use the same the end mills.

[@brianwalk108]

Congratulations on 40K!!! Well deserved and its gonna keep going up!!

[@SolidRockMachineShopInc]

Hi Joe, Thanks for the tips. One thing we do takes a little longer but we make 2 cuts that over lap never allowing the cutter to exit on the side that chips. The draw back is one more pass. Steve

[@benkeller3]

As always I am a better home shop machinist after spending a few minutes with you. Thanks for what you contribute.

[@joepie221]

Thanks for the support.

[@johnsavoy4784]

Food for thought, for sure,I don't mill many soft parts, some Delron for bushings but that's in the lathe,but I have noticed burs or roll over left on the 2 back cuts of some metals,As always good video Joe

[@donaldnaymon3270]

Great video demonstration. Great tips. Thank you for sharing.

[@samrodian919]

Just watched this Joe as I am awaiting delivery of a set of three fly cutters, and this was so informative and helpful. I love you videos they are great to watch and I lean several things every time. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos and posting them. Greetings from England, I hope you and your family are staying safe, and will remain so. (I'm watching this in April 2020 during the corona virus epidemic affecting all the civilised world)

[@joepie221]

Thank you for the well wishes. My family is doing well. I wish the same for you and your's.

[@multiHappyHacker]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks. Not having a fly cutter that would work was starting to bother me. Sure enough, one day old and just what I was looking for from Joe Pi. I even dug a little deeper in the junk drawer and found a toolbit with the right angles.

[@jylmachineshopvb]

Hi Joe! That was a great explanation! I really consider you a genius! I started working with my father since I was 11 years old and now I'm 51! Love the way you work! I'm from Vega Baja Puerto Rico if some day you visit P.R. give me a call I will be your host and show you around the island and my shop!

[@melwhitney5823]

Great video Joe, as a beginner machinist i learn from your great videos every time! thank you.

[@billchiasson2019]

Great tutorial! I always learn something from your videos!

[@RaysGarage]

Joe fantastic video, great explanation of the fly cutter! It was a great pleasure meeting and hanging out with you at the Bar Z Summer Bash and am looking forward to seeing you again next year! Your sticker collection is looking great!

[@Jmastffp]

Thanks for sharing those tips. I went out and made me a fly cutter for me Index 645 this morning after watching your video. Few things in life are more satisfying than making your own tools and then getting to use them. Let me know how and I’ll send you a picture of it.

[@brianwalk108]

As always, excited each time you post a video and never dissappointed afterwards. I think it would be interesting to see that acrylic machined with a slow motion camera, watching the chips breaking off vs. shearing off might give some cool insight.

[@dougberrett8094]

Very good. Years ago, when I still made my living making tiny pieces of metal from larger ones, myself and others would see how effective we could be using the fly cutter to make the surface of our part a diffraction grating. The criteria was the surface needed to be flat and to dimension. Could get some awesome colors when things went just right.

[@joeybobbie1]

Great Video Joe, I’m going to be doing my first Fly Cutting in a Minute, and wanted to check out how you do it before I go with it. Lots of Great Information. I learned a Lot. Thanks 👍

[@shearperformance]

I watch your videos anytime I find myself with nothing to do, and everytime, I learn one more new things. Favorite youtube channel 👌🏻

[@joepie221]

Thank you for that.

[@petermcneill80]

Very useful information very well demonstrated I’ll take this on board thanks again Jo

[@TabletopMachineShop]

I was waiting for the next slice of Joe Pie, I'm glad its here! Awesome video!

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Joe, once again your genius and experience have taught a great lesson. Many thanks!

[@horseshoe_nc]

Thanks for another great video. I will have to grind up a tool blank for plastic. And congrats on hitting 40k subscribers.

[@houseofbrokendobbsthings5537]

Thanks Joe. Good theory on the board and then to the mill for proof. Well played! _Dan_

[@smartypants5036]

Talk the talk and walk the walk. The proof was like night and day. Thanks for sharpening my understanding of tool geometry. I would have not figured that out.

[@joepie221]

Glad to help.

[@MakinSumthinFromNuthin]

Makes perfect sense on the plastics Joe 👍🏼 Thanks for sharing the tip :) ~ Richard

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

I have tried each thing you show and always have success. So it is the Joe Pi way or the highway around my place. Thanks for the video.

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@ChrisB257]

Excellent stuff Joe - once more! Pure great logic. :) Have to confess I have often not paid enough attention to the tool geometry - usually pure laziness! Your demo was definitely a true case of Q.E.D. :) Wish to heck I could been at the bash to shake your hand, along with many other folks - just was not possible.

[@jimmydiresta]

Joe!! Thank you brother!!! Hahahah I’ll pocket the watch in my next maze race! Love and respect ✊🏻

[@joepie221]

Thanks for stopping by Jimmy. It was good to meet you. I have the utmost respect for your creativity and ability.

[@lordgarak]

Thank you very much for this video. I happen to be working on a project requiring very clean cuts in acrylic rod. I threw this video on as something to fall asleep to last week and got sucked right into it. The next morning I went in to work, grinded a new fly cutting tool and I was amazed by the results. I thought I was going to have to wet sand and lap all 120 ends. It has saved me so much work and the results are better than anything else I've tried.

[@joepie221]

Glad to hear that. Thanks for your confidence in the material I shared.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Very informative. I have never used a fly cutter because used face mills on eBay are affordable, butpparently I should. I also never considered making a tool with the reverse geometry you demonstrated either. Thanks.

[@ugotit33x]

EXCELLENT EXPLANATION WORTH ITS WEIGH IN GOLD. THANK YOU

[@BoldUniverse]

I have to echo the sentiments of my friend ugotit33x above; and you are worth YOUR weight in gold Joe. Thank you for sharing :)

[@terrycannon2061]

Brilliant as usual Joe. Thanks. You always make things understandable.

[@davidstansbury3204]

Thanks again Joe I learn something with every video, just know you are very appreciated. From Ky, Dave

[@joepie221]

Thanks Dave.

[@jcs6347]

Thanks Joe, I never would have thought of that. Good learning point and video!

[@gregkernick9073]

Thanks for watching no thank you very much you have just answer more questions I had in fly cutting then anyone could from the bottom of my heart thank you you are a great teacher god bless

[@joepie221]

Glad to help. Thanks for the comment.

[@wolfitirol8347]

Thank you Joe i always wondered why only left handed lathe tools fit my fly cutter 😎 no joke.. the first 2 DIY cutters i didn't understand it until i got deeper in the FlyCutting Universe... Now i love the combination... wonderful finishes the best i made i gave to a good friend which is a big fan of you.. Like me..

[@metalshopwithtroy5755]

Very informative joe thanks for the tip It does make sense too.

[@copasetic216]

Great vid. I learn so much from you, thanks.

[@bcbloc02]

Good tips! Glad you had an awesome flight!

[@tomlatimer5001]

As a near retiring welder, and novice machinist, I've watched many tutorial videos, and I would put yours as best, hands down. Well explained, with close up videos to prove your point, and to the point narrative, not ramble on with minutes of chat that has nothing to do with your video. Thank you very much for teaching me more in a few minutes than the hour of video previously watched. I look forward to further education from you

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I'm happy to provide it.

[@martinmoeller9186]

In large part thanks to your videos I just cut my first thead ever (1.25" 16 tpi brass) with the first try being a useable part. A good thing too since the only stock I had was the body of an old shower valve. This was for an emergency repair to an outside faucet where the PLASTIC body of the anti syphon valve broke, and of course is not available. It took me a laughably long time including grinding the tool on a rickety shop bench grinder. My lathe is a Chinese 7X14 I have used for the last 5 years for cutting and polishing. BTW: PVC pipe polishes up to where it almost looks like ceramic. I am electronic engineer working mostly in software these days. On the "make a tool/jig" or 'just grind them out" decision the software analogy is whether to automate a repetitive task (formatting, importing data, whatever) I will always go for automating where possible for 2 reasons 1: Even if everyone says it is a 'one time' task it often turns out not to be and the basic structure can often be used elsewhere. 2: It is simply more enjoyable than sitting there getting carpal tunnel from repetitive actions. Again thanks for the videos, not sure exactly what I learned but beyond basic facts I found I had some "instinctive" knowledge when making the faucet plug, especially when dealing with holding and centering the "stock" i had to use.

[@slypig24]

Thanks again Joe. We used fly cutters on cast iorn cylinder heads more than anthing else.

[@natevanbynen6595]

Awesome tip!! You have inspired me to make some dedicated fly and tool bit cutters strickly for plastics :-)

[@johnbodmer5645]

Great video on fly cutters Joe. Thanks.

[@johnfry9010]

Joe this is a great video , you would have gotten a good laugh if you saw me try and grind my first fly cutter , my dislexia set in and I ground it completly back asswords and couldn't figure out why it didnt't work . Thanks !

[@kostasstamatakos1230]

great knowledge offering, as always. Thank you Joe.

[@spencertoolandgrind]

Thanks Joe, great video. Simple and to the point.

[@ianjoubert7505]

Absolutely Genus Joe! Thank you for sharing!!

[@duobob]

It was really nice to meet you and your son at the Bash, Joe.

[@bentrueblood8144]

Need to add "flycutter" to my list of shop projects. Thanks Joe!

[@Alanbataar]

Another great video! Thanks! One thing you didn't mention, which I thought was pretty cool, is how you've relieved the front rake on the plastic-cutting tool which would make honing much easier. Kind of like the back of a Japanese woodworking plane iron.

[@jakewyman1456]

Thank you for such a detailed presentation!

[@Ujeb08]

another great lesson for young machinists Joe! Using brittle acrylic for a demo was a great way to drive the message home.

[@middleroad00]

...and us Gray Beards also.

[@scottpace8794]

👍👍👍👍 as always your explanations are crystal clear and your examples show the proof visually beautifully .. Thanks learned a ton of tips and tricks from you...ty i would love see Or suggest a video on how to use dro properly on mill or get the most out of one?? I do not see any on you tube and im sure you would explain the best . thanks again !

[@larrymatsumoto7730]

I'm always learning something new thanks Joe great video

[@ophirb25]

As usual very good, very helpful and eye opener ....