Importance

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Abstract

An improvement to a friction stir welding tool having a rotating member, the improvement including an attachable cutting tool (30) having one or more radial cutting edges (32). A first embodiment of a cutting tool including one or more cutting inserts (42), each cutting insert having a lower end cutting edge; a like number of insert-engaging grooves (44); a collar (46) sized to closely engage around the rotating member with engaged inserts; a collar attachment arrangement for securing the collar (46) to the rotating member (38); and a number of set screws (48) for anchoring the cutting inserts (42) to the member (38). A second embodiment of a cutting tool including a cutting insert holder (60) having a lower end cutting edge; an insert holder hole (62) extending through the rotating member, the insert holder hole oriented angularly away from the rotating member axis of rotation (64); a threaded radial hole (66) formed in the rotating member (38); and a single screw fastener (68) for turning into the radial hole to press against the cutting insert holder. A third embodiment of a cutting tool including one or more tabs (80) extending radially from the rotating member (38). A cornered cutting insert (70) is removably attached to the lower end of each tab. The cornered cutting insert (70) includes one or more corners (72) to act as cutting edges. Additionally provided is an improved method of friction stir welding including attaching a cutting tool having a cutting edge to a conventional friction stir welding tool and providing liquid to the cutting edge as the weld is being formed in order to quickly cool the cutting edge surfaces so that the material will not adhere to the cutting edges, allowing the cutting tool to machine excess weld material away.

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First Claim