Abstract: A washerless cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool holder and a rotatable cutting tool at least partially disposed within the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool holder includes an alignment feature in the form of a protrusion at an axial forward end and a groove at an axial rearward end of the head portion of the rotatable cutting tool. The groove is capable of receiving the protrusion of the cutting tool holder to align the central, longitudinal axis of rotatable cutting tool with the central, longitudinal axis of the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool assembly further includes a limited rotated feature in the form of a braking ring disposed within an annular groove and a retainer ring disposed over the braking ring.

Abstract: A washerless cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool holder and a rotatable cutting tool at least partially disposed within the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool holder includes an alignment feature in the form of a protrusion at an axial forward end and a groove at an axial rearward end of the head portion of the rotatable cutting tool. The groove is capable of receiving the protrusion of the cutting tool holder to align the central, longitudinal axis of rotatable cutting tool with the central, longitudinal axis of the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool assembly further includes a limited rotated feature in the form of a braking ring disposed within an annular groove and a retainer ring disposed over the braking ring.

Abstract: A washerless cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool holder and a rotatable cutting tool at least partially disposed within the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool holder includes an alignment feature in the form of a protrusion at an axial forward end and a groove at an axial rearward end of the head portion of the rotatable cutting tool. The groove is capable of receiving the protrusion of the cutting tool holder to align the central, longitudinal axis of rotatable cutting tool with the central, longitudinal axis of the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool assembly further includes a limited rotated feature in the form of a braking ring disposed within an annular groove and a retainer ring disposed over the braking ring.

Abstract: A washerless cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool holder and a rotatable cutting tool at least partially disposed within the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool holder includes an alignment feature in the form of a protrusion at an axial forward end and a groove at an axial rearward end of the head portion of the rotatable cutting tool. The groove is capable of receiving the protrusion of the cutting tool holder to align the central, longitudinal axis of rotatable cutting tool with the central, longitudinal axis of the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool assembly further includes a limited rotated feature in the form of a braking ring disposed within an annular groove and a retainer ring disposed over the braking ring.

Abstract: Cutting tools (14) and cutting tool assemblies (10) include a friction ring (79). The friction ring (79) is provided in (disposed/secured within) a retaining groove (32) of a shank (30) of the cutting tool (14). The friction ring (79) can be formed from a resilient material or materials (150). The friction ring (79) can be secured in the retaining groove (32) by a retainer ring (80). The cutting tools (14) can also include a shank (30) having an increased diameter to provide increased strength and allow for a heavier cutting portion (28) of the cutting tool (14). The cutting tools (14) and cutting tool assemblies (10) can also include a washer (100) fitted about the shank (30) and positioned adjacent to a back side (26) of the cutting portion (28) of the cutting tool (14) for stabilizing the cutting tool body (22) in relation to a cutting tool holder (12).

Abstract: A cutting tool rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the cutting tool and configured for impingement upon a substrate includes an elongate cutting tool body having a head and a shank axially rearward of the head. The head includes a cutting member at an axial forward end thereof, a bolster portion axially rearward of the cutting member and a base portion at an axial rearward end of the head. In addition, the bolster portion includes a convex shape section and a generally cylindrical section contiguous with and axially rearward of the convex shape section.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting tool (10) includes a cutting tool body (12) having an axial forward end (14) and an axial rearward end (16). A bolster (46) at least partially received in a head portion (22) and includes a convex-shaped head portion (56) with a socket (20), a collar portion (58) and a tapered shank portion (60). The socket (20) is formed with a substantially planar side wall (20a), a bottom wall (20b), and a radius blend (20c). A hard tip or cutting insert (18) is at least partially received in the socket (20) of the bolster (46) and includes a convex-shaped conical head portion (72), a collar portion (74) and an axially-rearward portion (76) that generally conforms to the geometry of the socket (20) of the bolster (46). Between about sixty percent (60%) and about ninety percent (90%) of the cutting insert (18) is received in the socket (20) of the bolster (46), thereby reducing forces and stresses transmitted to the cutting tool (10) during a machining operation.

Abstract: A cutting tool rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the cutting tool and configured for impingement upon a substrate includes an elongate cutting tool body having a head and a shank axially rearward of the head. The head includes a cutting member at an axial forward end thereof, a bolster portion axially rearward of the cutting member and a base portion at an axial rearward end of the head. In addition, the bolster portion includes a convex shape section and a generally cylindrical section contiguous with and axially rearward of the convex shape section.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting tool (10) includes a cutting tool body (12) having an axial forward end (14) and an axial rearward end (16). A bolster (46) at least partially received in a head portion (22) and includes a convex-shaped head portion (56) with a socket (20), a collar portion (58) and a tapered shank portion (60). The socket (20) is formed with a substantially planar side wall (20a), a bottom wall (20b), and a radius blend (20c). A hard tip or cutting insert (18) is at least partially received in the socket (20) of the bolster (46) and includes a convex-shaped conical head portion (72), a collar portion (74) and an axially-rearward portion (76) that generally conforms to the geometry of the socket (20) of the bolster (46). Between about sixty percent (60%) and about ninety percent (90%) of the cutting insert (18) is received in the socket (20) of the bolster (46), thereby reducing forces and stresses transmitted to the cutting tool (10) during a machining operation.

Abstract: A coupler for use in connecting together in a driving relationship a first member and a second member in a rotatable cutter assembly includes an elongate body having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end, and the elongate body containing a longitudinal bore. The elongate body further includes a collar mediate of the axial forward end and the axial rearward end, a forward body portion axially forward of the collar wherein the forward body portion is configured to drivingly engage the first member and a rearward body portion rearward of the collar wherein the rearward body portion is configured to drivingly engage the second member. The rearward body portion of the elongate body includes an elastomeric layer formed thereon.

Abstract: A coupler for use in connecting together in a driving relationship a first member and a second member in a rotatable cutter assembly includes an elongate body having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end, and the elongate body containing a longitudinal bore. The elongate body further includes a collar mediate of the axial forward end and the axial rearward end, a forward body portion axially forward of the collar wherein the forward body portion is configured to drivingly engage the first member and a rearward body portion rearward of the collar wherein the rearward body portion is configured to drivingly engage the second member. The rearward body portion of the elongate body includes an elastomeric layer formed thereon.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit includes an elongate drill bit body having a slot at a forward end, an edge protector received in the slot of the drill bit body and a cutting insert having a cutting edge. The edge protector includes: a first side having a first bottom edge and a first top edge; a second side opposed to the first side, the second side having a second bottom edge and a second top edge; and a bottom portion adjoining the first bottom edge of the first side and the second bottom edge of the second side. The cutting insert is received in the edge protector such that the cutting edge is recessed below one of the first top edge of the first side or the second top edge of the second side.