Abstract: A rotary drill bit for engaging an earth strata material includes an elongate drill bit body having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end, and a cutting insert attached to the axial forward end of the elongate drill bit body. The cutting insert has an elongate insert body rotatable about a central axis and includes a pair of symmetrical halves symmetrical about the central axis, each symmetrical half including a leading face, a top surface having a relief surface, a T-land surface extending between the leading face and the relief surface and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the relief surface. The cutting edge can have a negative axial rake angle. The relief surface can include a primary relief surface and a secondary relief surface.

Abstract: A two-prong rotary drill bit for engaging an earth strata material includes a drill bit body having an axis of rotation, the drill bit body having a head portion at an axial forward end and a shank portion at an axial rearward end, the head portion having two mounting arms offset from the axis of rotation of the drill bit body. The two-prong rotary drill bit also includes a cutting insert attached to each mounting arm at the axial forward end of the drill bit body. Each cutting insert includes a leading face facing in the direction of rotation, a top surface having a relief surface, a T-land surface extending between the leading face and the relief surface of the top surface and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the relief surface of the top surface.

Abstract: A flat cutter bit for engaging an earth strata material includes a non-rotatable shank portion, a head portion integrally formed with the non-rotatable shank portion and including a tip region distal from the non-rotatable shank portion, and a cutting insert mounted at the tip region of the head portion. The cutting insert includes a body having an angled leading face, a top surface having a relief surface, a T-land surface extending between the angled leading face and the relief surface of the top surface and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the relief surface of the top surface.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for engaging an earth strata material includes an elongate drill bit body having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end, and a cutting insert attached to the axial forward end of the elongate drill bit body. The cutting insert has an elongate insert body rotatable about a central axis and includes a pair of symmetrical halves symmetrical about the central axis, each symmetrical half including a leading face, a top surface having a relief surface, a T-land surface extending between the leading face and the relief surface and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the relief surface. The cutting edge can have a negative axial rake angle. The relief surface can include a primary relief surface and a secondary relief surface.

Abstract: A two-prong rotary drill bit for engaging an earth strata material includes a drill bit body having an axis of rotation, the drill bit body having a head portion at an axial forward end and a shank portion at an axial rearward end, the head portion having two mounting arms offset from the axis of rotation of the drill bit body. The two-prong rotary drill bit also includes a cutting insert attached to each mounting arm at the axial forward end of the drill bit body. Each cutting insert includes a leading face facing in the direction of rotation, a top surface having a relief surface, a T-land surface extending between the leading face and the relief surface of the top surface and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the relief surface of the top surface.

Abstract: A flat cutter bit for engaging an earth strata material includes a non-rotatable shank portion, a head portion integrally formed with the non-rotatable shank portion and including a tip region distal from the non-rotatable shank portion, and a cutting insert mounted at the tip region of the head portion. The cutting insert includes a body having an angled leading face, a top surface having a relief surface, a T-land surface extending between the angled leading face and the relief surface of the top surface and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the relief surface of the top surface.

Abstract: A stump grinding cutter bit includes a non-rotatable shank portion, a head portion integrally formed with the non-rotatable shank portion and including a tip region distal from the non-rotatable shank portion, and a cutting insert mounted at the tip region of the head portion. The cutting insert includes: a body having a top surface, a leading face, an opposing trailing face, a first side and a second side; a T-land surface extending between the leading face and the top surface and extending between the leading face and the first side and second side; and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the top surface and at the intersection of the T-land surface and the first side and the second side.

Abstract: A radial cutter bit includes a non-rotatable shank portion, a head portion including a tip region distal from the non-rotatable shank portion, and a cutting insert mounted at the tip region of the head portion. The cutting insert includes a body having a leading face, an opposing trailing face, a first side and a second side. The leading face has a central face portion, a first side face portion extending toward the first side of the body and a second face portion extending toward the second side of the body. The cutting insert further includes a top surface having a relief surface, a T-land surface extending between at least a portion of the leading face and the relief surface of the top surface and a cutting edge formed at the intersection of the T-land surface and the relief surface of the top surface.

Abstract: A milling cutter (10) comprises a cutter body (12) having at least two operational annular rings (13, 14). An outer ring (13) is provided for rough milling and includes a plurality of cutting inserts spaced about the periphery of the cutter body. Positioned radially inward of the outer ring (13) is at least one ring (14) comprises a coating of abrasive material. As a result, a workpiece can be both tough and finish milled by a single milling cutter (10) with the rough cutting inserts (18) and the abrasive material.

Abstract: A cutting insert comprises an elliptical cutting edge. The cutting insert has a mounting hole through which a retention screw may pass, wherein the retention screw makes contact with the mounting hole in a seating plane that is perpendicular to the mounting hole. The cutting insert is adapted for use in a cutting tool comprising a tool body having a pocket partially defined by a floor that is parallel to a seating plane. The insert can have a shape complimentary to a tool body so as to cooperate with the tool body to form a continuous flute. According to one embodiment of the invention, the insert has a flank edge inboard with respect to the tool body. An insert according to another embodiment of the invention has a rake face with a positive cutting geometry.

Abstract: An insert retention screw having a head with a radius that is sufficient size to fit within a mounting hole of a cutting insert and seat within a seating plane within the mounting hole that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the insert when the screw is at an angle of about 0-15 degrees is disclosed. The retention screw provided for holding a cutting insert in the pocket of a tool body. The pocket is partially defined by a floor and a seating surface. A threaded hole is at an angle that is taken with reference to the pocket floor. The insert has a mounting hole passing therethrough. The retention screw passed through the mounting hole and threads into the threaded hole so as to draw the insert against the seating surface.

Abstract: A milling cutter (10) comprises a cutter body (12) having at least two operational annular rings (13, 14). An outer ring (13) is provided for rough milling and includes a plurality of cutting inserts spaced about the periphery of the cutter body. Positioned radially inward of the outer ring (13) is at least one ring (14) comprises a coating of abrasive material. As a result, a workpiece can be both tough and finish milled by a single milling cutter (10) with the rough cutting inserts (18) and the abrasive material.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprises a tool body having a pocket for supporting an insert. The tool body may have a flute for evacuating chips from a workpiece during a cutting operation. The tool body and the insert may have complimentary shapes to cooperatively form an uninterrupted flute. The tool body may comprise a axial clearance face. The tool body may also comprise a radial clearance face.

Abstract: An insert retention screw has a head with a radius that is a sufficient size to fit within a mounting hole of a cutting insert and seat within a seating plane within the mounting hole that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the insert when the screw is at an angle in a range of about 0–15 degrees. The retention screw is provided for holding a cutting insert in the pocket of a tool body. The pocket is partially defined by a floor and a seating surface. A threaded hole is at an angle that is taken with reference to the pocket floor. The insert has a mounting hole passing therethrough. The retention screw passes through the mounting hole and threads into the threaded hole so as to draw the insert against the seating surface.

Abstract: A milling cutter comprises a cutter body having two concentric annular rings. An outer ring is provided for rough milling and includes a plurality of cutting inserts equally spaced about the periphery of a cutter body. An inner finish ring comprises a ring member having a coating of abrasive material. As a result, a workpiece can be milled by a single milling cutter with the rough cutting inserts and then the abrasive material.

Abstract: A cutting tool has a shank with a cylindrical portion that is adapted to fit closely within a tool holder. The shank is adapted to be engaged by a setscrew of the tool holder at a first contact point. A clearance surface is provided opposite the first contact point. The clearance surface terminates adjacent two circumferentially spaced points that make contact with the tool holder upon tightening the setscrew. These contact points are circumferentially spaced from the first contact point angular distances greater than 90 degrees and less than 270 degrees.

Abstract: A cutting tool has a shank with a cylindrical portion that is adapted to fit closely within a tool holder. The shank is adapted to be engaged by a setscrew of the tool holder at a first contact point. A clearance surface is provided opposite the first contact point. The clearance surface terminates adjacent two circumferentially spaced points that make contact with the tool holder upon tightening the setscrew. These contact points are circumferentially spaced from the first contact point angular distances greater than 90 degrees and less than 270 degrees.

Abstract: An insert retention screw comprises a head with a radius that is a sufficient size to fit within a mounting hole of a cutting insert and seat within a seating plane within the mounting hole that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the insert when the screw is at an angle in a range of about 0-15 degrees. The retention screw is provided for holding a cutting insert in the pocket of a tool body. The pocket is partially defined by a floor and a seating surface. A threaded hole is at an angle that is taken with reference to the pocket floor. The insert has a mounting hole passing therethrough. The retention screw passes through the mounting hole and threads into the threaded hole so as to draw the insert against the seating surface.

Abstract: A cutting insert comprises an elliptical cutting edge. The cutting insert has a mounting hole through which a retention screw may pass, wherein the retention screw makes contact with the mounting hole in a seating plane that is perpendicular to the mounting hole. The cutting insert is adapted for use in a cutting tool comprising a tool body having a pocket partially defined by a floor that is parallel to a seating plane. The insert can have a shape complimentary to a tool body so as to cooperate with the tool body to form a continuous flute. According to one embodiment of the invention, the insert has a flank edge inboard with respect to the tool body. An insert according to another embodiment of the invention has a rake face with a positive cutting geometry.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprises a tool body having a pocket for supporting an insert. The tool body may have a flute for evacuating chips from a workpiece during a cutting operation. The tool body and the insert may have complimentary shapes to cooperatively form an uninterrupted flute. The tool body may comprise a axial clearance face. The tool body may also comprise a radial clearance face.