Side and end view of
a cross hole deburrer
Countersink
A countersink is a tapered hole drilled with
a wide outer portion. A common usage is to allow the head of a countersunk bolt
or screw, when placed in the hole, to sit flush with or below the surface of the
surrounding material. A countersink may also be used to remove the burr left
from a drilling or tapping operation thereby improving the finish of the product
and removing any hazardous sharp edges.
Cross hole countersink
cutter
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Side and end view of a cross hole deburrer |
A cross hole countersink is a cone-shaped tool with a cutting edge provided
by a hole that goes through the side of the cone (see picture at right). The
intersection of the hole and cone form the cutting edge on the tool. The cone is
not truly symmetrical as it is essential that the cone retreats away from the
cutting edge as the tool rotates. If this does not occur the cutting edge will
lack clearance and rub rather than bite into the material. This clearance is
referred to as cutting relief.
These tools are best used as deburring
tools, where the burr from a previous machining operation needs to be removed
for cosmetic and safety reasons, however they may be used in softer materials
(such as wood or plastic) to create a countersunk hole for a
screw.
Fluted countersink cutter
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Side and end view of a 4 fluted countersink |
The fluted countersink cutter is used to provide a heavy chamfer in the
entrance to a drilled hole. This may be required to allow the correct seating
for a countersunk head screw, to provide the lead in for a second machining
operation such as tapping. Countersink cutters are manufactured with two common
angles, 90° and 82°. This difference provides a choice in seating angles for the
mating part.
Better quality fluted countersink cutters will have the
flutes (or at least one flute) at an irregular pitching. This variation in
pitching reduces the chance of the cutting edges setting up a harmonic action
and leaving an undulated surface. This surface ripple is also dependent on the
surface speed of the cutting edges, material type and applied pressure; once
started it is hard to remove.