Abstract: A center for maintaining a cutting tool, such as a tapping tool or reamer, in axial alignment with a hole to be worked upon includes an elongated body and a centering pin received by a cavity defined in the body for movement between retracted and extended positions. A spring is interposed between the body and the centering pin for biasing the pin from the retracted position to the extended position, and the pin includes an accessible handle which projects through a slot provided in the body. The handle can be manipulated into a position within the slot for releasably locking the centering pin in a retracted position. For mounting the center within a machine tool, the body includes an end portion including a plurality of alternatively-sized cylindrical sections arranged axially along the body so that the body can be mounted within collets of alternative sizes. Moreover, the centering pin includes a live end for engaging the cutting tool when rotating to thereby reduce wear on the pin.

Abstract: A face milling cutter for holding a plurality of cemented tool bits for rotation about an axis and an associated method utilize a body of material defining a shank portion securable within a rotatable spindle of a machine tool for rotation about an axis and an insert-accepting body portion within which the tool bits are supported. The insert-accepting body portion is generally cylindrically in shape and joined to the shank portion so that the longitudinal axis of the body portion coincides with the axis of rotation of the cutter. Furthermore, the body portion defines a plurality of radially outwardly-opening recesses extending along the length of the cylindrical periphery of the body portion. Each recess is adapted to accept the shank of a tool bit so that when operatively positioned therein, the tool bit shank extends generally longitudinally of the cutter body portion.