Sometimes You Don't Even Need to Ask...

[jsherblon]

Originally Posted by the_other_dougreeves

You now have an artifact to save, memoralizing the construction. Keep it in its imperfect state, a reminder that failure is inevitable and recoverable.

I have a whole box full of memorial artifacts!

[longranger]

Originally Posted by RV7ator

Or put it up on VAF classifieds. Someone will buy it.

John Siebold

Put it up for auction as artwork (one of a kind), proceeds to go to Doug.

What do I hear for a paper plate with 10 grams of leftover proseal and an acid brush? (It's been 10 days now, probably good to ship.)

[scard]

Paul, that probably wouldn't happen if you had it properly clamped down in one of these with the proper feed rate . The ultimate scrap maker.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by the_other_dougreeves

Keep it in its imperfect state, a reminder that failure is inevitable and recoverable.

What?? I thought failure was not an option!

[fl-mike]

Paul,
The factory owes you a new one anyway. All the pre-punched holes were left out on that one!

[Rick S.]

I'll catch flak for this response I'm sure but, throw that tool away!! Being in the safety biz allows you to investigate all kinds of accidents/incidents and the fly cutter is the top of my "wish it was never invented" list. Granted used properly with great care it can chew hole for you. The post about gloves is also correct...they can catch and twist off a finger...I've seen it happen with many rotating power tools, Arms are also twisted off...saw a 24" buffer wheel do that! I'm not sure if either bite is better than the other when using the fly cutter!!. Harbor freight makes a nifty air powered nibbler that will make those non critical holes easy. Nibble your lightenng holes, get your panel laser or water cut and melt down the fly cutter for scrap. Scott's response was the best....buy a nice verticle mill!!!

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by Rick S.

I'll catch flak for this response I'm sure but, throw that tool away!! Being in the safety biz allows you to investigate all kinds of accidents/incidents and the fly cutter is the top of my "wish it was never invented" list. Granted used properly with great care it can chew hole for you. The post about gloves is also correct...they can catch and twist off a finger...I've seen it happen with many rotating power tools, Arms are also twisted off...saw a 24" buffer wheel do that! I'm not sure if either bite is better than the other when using the fly cutter!!. Harbor freight makes a nifty air powered nibbler that will make those non critical holes easy. Nibble your lightenng holes, get your panel laser or water cut and melt down the fly cutter for scrap. Scott's response was the best....buy a nice verticle mill!!!

...as I stated earlier in the post, "most dangerous tool in the shop".
I still use mine for cutting lightening holes. I also have a variable speed Shopsmith that I can dial way down in speed. Clamp it down tight, and step well away as I feed it. Still scares me, but I have not found a better way to get the job done.

[zspivey]

Originally Posted by scard

Paul, that probably wouldn't happen if you had it properly clamped down in one of these with the proper feed rate . The ultimate scrap maker.

Scott, I have never seen a Bridgeport Series 1 standard in a home shop before. Where did you find it?

[Phil]

Looks like you could get an oops rivet to squeeze in there.

Agreed though. That tool scares me.

I chucked a fly cutter last weekend and some 6th sense told me to shut the drill press down and find a different method to remove the material. Since I started building an airplane I have started to recogonize those moments when I need to listen to that inner voice. I always seem to realize when I'm pushing the envelope a little more than I should - usually with negative results.

Problem solved and it took much more time to complete the task, but I still have all of my fingers to type this message too.

[scard]

Originally Posted by zspivey

Scott, I have never seen a Bridgeport Series 1 standard in a home shop before. Where did you find it?

I think every home shop should have one, if only to run the fly cutter . A proper mill fly cutter is much safer in my opinion than the sliding bar thingy we have traditionally used in our drill presses. Those days are happily over for me. I wrote about how my Series I came to be in my shop on my -8 build log: http://rv8.card-net.org/ It is a good thing I had years of experience with the fly cutter, since moving a 2000 pound machine by hand is much scarier .