Patent ID: 7207752

Claim:
A reamer for enlarging a pre-existing hole in a workpiece by rotational and axial cutting, the reamer comprising: a longitudinal shank for supporting a body of a reamer for enlarging a pre-existing hole in a workpiece by rotation and axial movement relative to the workpiece in a first hand rotational direction; and a longitudinal body extending axially from the shank, the body having at least one first flute formed therein, providing at least one first flute cutting edge in a distal end of the body for imparting a first cutting operation to the workpiece, the body having at least one helical flute formed therein at an angle relative to an axis of rotation that is greater than that of the at least one first flute, the at least one helical flute being formed in a second hand rotational direction opposite to the first hand rotational direction so that cutting debris is advanced ahead of the at least one helical flute, the at least one helical flute providing at least one helical flute cutting edge in the body distal end, radially spaced apart from the at least one first flute cutting edge, for imparting a helical cutting operation to the workpiece so that at least a leading portion of the at least one first flute and the at least one helical flute cutting edges generally lie in a common radial plane, wherein the body includes at least one cylindrical margin formed thereabout for providing bearing support to the reamer within the hole being formed; wherein the at least one first flute cutting edge and the at least one helical flute cutting edge concurrently and collectively perform the first and helical cutting operations to a sculpture surface of the workpiece, thereby improving tolerances of the cutting operations to a range of 0.001 inches, varying the loads imparted to the workpiece and the reamer, and reducing heat generated between the workpiece and the reamer.