Cutter bit

Abstract

A cutter bit includes a body integrally formed with a mounting shank. The body is formed with a pair of chip boxes having an arcuate surface and a planar surface with a cutting knife mounted to each planar surface. A plurality of equally spaced recesses are formed in the body to reduce cutter bit weight, and to promote heat transfer from the cutter bit to the surrounding atmosphere. Adjacent recesses form annular ribs which extend circumferentially around the body from one cutting knife to the arcuate surface adjacent the other cutting knife. The arcuate ribs operate as heat exchanger fins by substantially increasing the outer surface area of the cutter bit thereby substantially increasing the rate of heat transfer from the cutter bit to the surrounding atmosphere. In other embodiments of the invention, the annular ribs are inclined to assist in removing chips from adjacent the area adjacent the cutting area to reduce chip load on the router bit, and assure that the user has a clear view of the cutting action. Alternatively, the annular ribs may be attached to form a helix extending circumferentially around the body to assist in chip removal.