Can anyone id this tool for brace and bit?

[Jcookuk]

Hi. My uncle recently passed and as we were going through his tools found this tool for his brace and bit. Can anyone tell me what it would be used for?

 

[Daniel2]

It's a circle cutter (compass cutter ?)
Probably used for cutting large washers, flange gaskets, etc.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

That one's a hole cutter. I have one and still occasionally use it. If the blade is ground with the opposite angle, i.e. the point is toward the middle, it becomes a circle cutter. I like the modification: the usual drill bit has been replaced with a centre drill. I'll remember that.

 

[Fitzroy]

I like the modification: the usual drill bit has been replaced with a centre drill. I'll remember that.

that stuck me as a cool idea also.

 

[recipio]

Someone has stuck an endmill in place of a drill. Looks like it was made by a blacksmith - a hole saw would give better results.

 

[Spectric]

Sometimes refered to as a fly cutter and allows for larger holes to be cut. Here is a modern version

https://www.armeg.com/Adjustable-Hole-Cutter-40mm-200mm

 

[deema]

I have one, it’s a very effective hole cutter.

 

[Myfordman]

Th slocombe drill look wildly off centre almost making it unusable. unless its an optical illusion?

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

Th slocombe drill look wildly off centre almost making it unusable. unless its an optical illusion?

If you're referring to the centre drill then it is dead on centre. The cutter blade should be inserted from the RHS rather than, as shown, from the left. The main body has a flat on the RHS so slightly smaller circles can be bored when the cutter is pushed fully to the left.
I have one of the 'modern' versions @Spectric mentions: bl**dy useless IMHO. Maybe I was just unlucky.

 

[Spectric]

I have one of the 'modern' versions @Spectric mentions: bl**dy useless IMHO. Maybe I was just unlucky.

I brought the one from Armeg and it works great, you need to ensure the cutters are fitted the right way and not the obvious way. Great for those holes in ceilings as it contains 80% of the dust and also in a pillar drill where you can cut those odd size holes needed when making jigs for the router.

 

[nolly47]

plumbers called them tank cutters for cutting holes in galvanised cold water tanks for ball valves, tank connector and overflows

 

[pgrbff]

If you're referring to the centre drill then it is dead on centre. The cutter blade should be inserted from the RHS rather than, as shown, from the left. The main body has a flat on the RHS so slightly smaller circles can be bored when the cutter is pushed fully to the left.
I have one of the 'modern' versions @Spectric mentions: bl**dy useless IMHO. Maybe I was just unlucky.

I have the Star M version of Spectrics hole cutter and it works very well.

 

[J-G]

Someone has stuck an endmill in place of a drill. Looks like it was made by a blacksmith - a hole saw would give better results.

Nothing like an 'End Mill' - did you post without reading @MorrisWoodman12 's post ? As he said, it's a Centre Drill - the perfect tool for the job.

. . . and a hole-saw would not give better results - in the job for which this tool was designed - ie. primarilly cutting large holes in Copper tanks - a hole-saw would clog well before all the teeth had come in contact with the tank.

 

[Thingybob]

This is the moderner version I have very handy both cutters are adjustable in and out and reversible to make discs or holes and if careful you can cut a gasket in one shot with cutters set at different diameters

 

[Daniel2]

This is the moderner version I have very handy both cutters are adjustable in and out and reversible to make discs or holes and if careful you can cut a gasket in one shot with cutters set at different diameters View attachment 165439

Oooh... You'd have to have that set up very carefully.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I have 2 off the OP tnk/washer cutters.

This one was modified to be used on a battery drill.
I use it on header tanks.


This one was found at a local car boot. New nd it its box.

This gets used to cut leather washers.

 

[cemannion]

Trepanning tool

 

[Daniel2]

Trepanning tool

Oh well done
I knew there was a more specific name, but couldn't recall it.

 

[J-G]

Trepanning tool

Not strictly true. Though it could be used as such by fitting an appropriate cutter. A Trepanning tool would have a flat cutting edge rather than a 'point' (oriented either left or right depending upon it intended use as a hole or washer cutter).

To 'Trepan' is to take a thin ring of material out - originally of the skull ! to gain access to the brain - which (on a lathe) is usually to save material which would otherwise go to waste. A 'Holesaw' could correctly be termed a trepanning tool.

 

[Jcookuk]

Thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated