Threading tool and method

Claim 2

A cutting tool comprising: toolholder means having a first cutting element mounting pocket formed at a peripheral surface of the toolholder means at one end thereof, and a second cutting element mounting pocket axially spaced rearwardly from the first pocket; a multi-toothed thread chaser insert positioned in the first pocket so as to present a plurality of cutting teeth extending beyond the peripheral surface transversely to a longitudinal axis of the toolholder means; a single tooth thread chaser insert having a finishing cutting tooth of a width narrower than the widths of the cutting teeth of the multi-toothed thread chaser insert, the single toothed thread chaser positioned in the second pocket so as to present the single finishing cutting tooth extending beyond the peripheral surface transversely to the longitudinal axis to an extent further than any of the teeth of the multi-toothed thread chaser insert; and means for clamping the multi-toothed thread chaser insert and the single toothed thread chaser insert in their respective mounting pockets.

Claim 3

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the single toothed thread chaser insert is indexable to a plurality of cutting positions, each position presenting a different single finishing tooth cutting surface.

Claim 4

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the multi-toothed chaser cutting teeth are mounted in axial alignment forwardly of the single-toothed chaser finishing cutting tooth in a direction of cutting tool feed relative to a workpiece.

Claim 5

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a coolant passageway extending substantially parallel to the axis of the toolholder means; first and second coolant passageways extending substantially transversely to the axis of the toolholder means and coupled to the axially extending passageway, the first and second passageways terminating at a peripheral surface of the toolholder means at first and second openings respectively positioned above the first and second mounting pockets; and means for coupling the axially extending passageway to a source of coolant.

Claim 6

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 5 further comprising: substantially spherically shaped means removably disposed in a portion of each of said first and second passageways, each spherically shaped means including a passageway extending along a diameter of the spherically shaped means; and means for retaining the spherically shaped means with its diametrically extending passageway in a preselected position relative to an axis of the corresponding transversely extending passageway.

Claim 7

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 6 wherein the means for retaining comprises: a threaded bore having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the corresponding transversely extending passageway and having a countersunk portion intersecting the radial passageway at the portion where the spherically shaped means is removably disposed; and screw means having a tapered surface positioned for retentive engagement with the spherically shaped means when the screw means is threaded into the bore.

Claim 8

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 4 further comprising: a shim seat positioned between a bottom surface of the multi-toothed chaser and a bottom surface of the first mounting pocket.

Claim 9

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 8 further comprising: a chipbreaker mounted between a top surface of the multi-toothed chaser and the means for clamping same.

Claim 12

A toolholder comprising: a body having a shank portion; a first locating and mounting means having at least two substantially perpendicular surfaces at a peripheral surface of the shank portion adjacent one end thereof, the substantially perpendicular surfaces shaped for receipt of a substantially rectangular multi-toothed thread chaser insert with teeth which will extend beyond the peripheral surface; and second locating and mounting means axially spaced along the shank rearwardly of and in substantial axial alignment with the first locating and mounting means, the second locating and mounting means including a pocket having substantially mutually perpendicular surfaces shaped for receipt of a cutting element presenting a single thread chasing finishing tooth which will extend beyond the peripheral surface to an extent further than any of the teeth of the multi-toothed insert, and a shoulder portion lying between the pocket and the first locating and mounting means and having a surface adjacent the first locating and mounting means engaging one edge of the multi-toothed insert, the width of the shoulder portion determining the distance between a last cutting tooth of the multi-toothed insert and the finishing tooth.

Claim 13

A toolholder comprising: a body having a shank portion; a first locating and mounting means having at least two substantially perpendicular surfaces at a peripheral surface of the shank portion adjacent one end thereof, the substantially perpendicular surfaces shaped for receipt of a substantially rectangular multi-toothed thread chaser insert with teeth which will extend beyond the peripheral surface; and second locating and mounting means axially spaced along the shank rearwardly of and in substantial axial alignment with the first locating and mounting means, the second locating and mounting means including a pocket having substantially mutually perpendicular surfaces shaped for receipt of a cutting element presenting a single thread chasing finishing tooth which will extend beyond the peripheral surface to an extent further than any of the teeth of the multi-toothed insert, and a shoulder portion lying between the pocket and the first locating and mounting means and having a surface adjacent the first locating and mounting means engaging one edge of the multi-toothed insert, the width of the shoulder portion determining the distance between a last cutting tooth of the multi-toothed insert and the finishing tooth.

Claim 14

A toolholder as set forth in claim 10, wherein the pocket of the second locating and mounting means has its mutually perpendicular surfaces shaped for receipt of a substantially polygonal single toothed thread chaser insert indexable to a plurality of cutting positions.

Claim 15

A toolholder as set forth in claim 10 wherein the second locating and mounting means comprises a cartridge removably coupled to the shank portion, the cartridge including said pocket and having at one end thereof said shoulder portion.

Claim 16

A toolholder as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a replaceable sizing element positioned between the cartridge and the shank portion so as to determine the distance the finishing tooth will extend beyond the peripheral surface.

Claim 17

A toolholder as set forth in claim 12 wherein the pocket is formed by three mutually perpendicular walls shaped for receipt of a triangular indexable insert presenting the finishing tooth, one of the walls comprising a boundary of the shoulder portion.

Claim 18

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a cartridge removably coupled to the peripheral surface rearwardly of the first cutting element mounting pocket and having formed therein the second cutting element mounting pocket.

Claim 19

A cutting tool as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a replaceable sizing element postioned between the cartridge and the peripheral surface so as to determine the distance the finishing cutting tooth extends beyond the peripheral surface.