plug cutters

[Phil Pascoe]

I would like to get hold of a couple of plug cutters going up to about an inch, but the ones I've come across so far have been 5/8" max. There was one that was 3/4" but it didn't look too good. I need good quality TCT, so I expect to pay.
Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

:shock: I've found Famag - I'd forgotten their name. I said I'd pay but **** me, they're expensive.

 

[RossJarvis]

I'd wonder whether a hole saw might do up to that size. The plug cutters I'm used to seem to only go up to about 1/2 inch.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes, I've wondered that. I wonder how clean the plug would be? I want the plugs to make inlays in contrasting timbers, so a rough edge will show. When circumstances change, I'll give it a go as I've already got holesaws and a pillar drill.

 

[RossJarvis]

I suppose another thing to think about is matching the plug to the recess for inlaying. Are you using forstner bits or similar? If you cut the "plug" slightly oversize you can probably reduce it to fit. It's apparently harder to use the "putting on tool" to make it bigger!

Do you have access to a lathe? Maybe turning stock down to size on that might be an option, you can get the size just right and if you need several, you can just slice as many off as you need to the correct thickness.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes, I have a lathe. My cunning plan was to take plugs out of the centres of any really nice bowl blanks before turning for use as inlays on other things - why not make use of what would otherwise be shavings? These would be rather awkward to trim on a lathe, but time consuming not impossible.

 

[RogerP]

191258179191 eBay 1" - expensive.

Seen several different 1" types available but they're all £40+

 

[Fergal]

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Plug-Cutte ... et/30-9655

This set has a 25mm cutter. I don't expect the quality to be great at that price, but it might do the job.

Fergal

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Thanks for the suggestions so far - keep them coming!
Fergal - they doesn't look bad, at least they would allow me to experiment.

 

[wcndave]

£13 reduced from £45, get em quick!

 

[carlb40]

How about a slightly different option? Due to needing clean edges, why not a router and

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... r-template

You can make plugs of any size you want then.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes, that's an option, but moving it possibly a hundred times on a surface that might not even be flat could be time consuming.

 

[matthewwh]

Hmm, can't embed video on the forum.

The Famag ones are not cheap, but they are very very good. As long as the hole and the plug are both cut with Famag drills you should get a parallel sided fit like this: 35 seconds in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2nh9eCZhxI

Imperial versions are available 3/8" to 1-3/8", as are metric carbide tipped ones from 15 to 50mm - do take a seat before asking about the price of the carbide ones though.