46-degree Cutter Head
This cutter head cuts strips for 8-strip or octagon rods. This is a novel configuration for those interested in experimenting with new designs. The cutter head is provided with two carbide inserts and insert fastening screws.

61.5-degree Cutter Head
This is the cutter head that I recommend for 6-strip rod construction. The cutter head is provided with two carbide inserts and insert fastening screws.

73.5-degree Cutter Head
This cutter head cuts strips for 5-strip or pentagonal rods. The cutter head is provided with two carbide inserts and insert fastening screws.

92-degree Cutter Head
This cutter head cuts strips for 4-strip or square rods. The cutter head is provided with two carbide inserts and insert fastening screws.

Flat Cutter Head
This cutter head reduces the thickness of bamboo strips so that other material can be glued to the inside to lighten them or change their characteristics. The strips can be either parallel cut or taper cut. A process similar to this was used by EC Powell to make his cedar core rods. After the inner material is glued to the bamboo they would then be cut in the normal manner. The cutter head is provided with one carbide insert and insert fastening screw.

Hand Mill Plane
The newly redesigned plane is available to current Hand Mill owners separately. Please write to me directly regarding availability and cost.

Shoe Assembly
The hold down shoe assembly consists of three parts: a body, a pivot arm, and a shoe. The whole assembly is fabricated from 303SE stainless steel that assures longevity and rust resistance. It mounts easily with just one screw in the present hole in the center of the cutter heads.

The pivot arm that holds the shoes is spring loaded so that it will hold the bamboo strips down and provide enough force to keep the bamboo strips centered within the shoe. The front of the arms has two slots to hold shoes; the first arm slot is about 1.80" from the cutters, and the second slot is about 1.40" from the cutters. Some rod makers prefer using the shoes in the front slot whereas others prefer the rear.

There are three different hold down shoes of 61.5 degrees, 73.5 degrees, and 92 degrees for 6-, 5-, and 4-strip rods. The shoes, which will hold even the smallest tip, are beveled in front so they slide easily on bamboo strips without digging in or catching.

The hold down shoe assembly is a significant improvement over the original plastic tip finger. I am recommending that the shoe be used with all Hand Mills, and in the future I will supply all new Hand Mills with hold down shoes.

Aluminum Measuring Block
One of the challenges in cutting bamboo strips is their accurate measurement to provide glued sections that match the design taper. The Hand Mill provides a special situation for measuring bamboo strips because I have designed the cutter heads with a slightly increased cutting angle. To solve this dilemma I have made a measuring gauge block that includes special angles for the three primary rod designs that I make cutter heads for: 6-strip, 5-strip, and 4-strip. It has been proven that this method of measuring strips is the most accurate available.

The measuring block sits on a caliper and is held in place by a brass fastener so as to not damage the caliper. It is machined from 6061T6 aluminum alloy, is black anodized, and has the identifying angles labeled with engraved numerals coated with white paint. It comes with a .100" drill for calibration and instructions that include photographs.

Hollow Fluting Tool
The base and block of the Hollow Fluting Cutter are aluminum and are clear anodized for protection. The aluminum block has a bronze bushing pressed into it that guides the precision ground stainless steel rod and guide wheel. The rollers are made from stainless steel and have included angles of 64 degrees, 76 degrees and 94 degrees for 6-, 5-, and 4-strip rods respectively. This larger included angle makes sure that the rollers don't ride on the outsides edges of the bamboo when hollowing.

The Hollow Fluting Cutter comes with 6 carbide inserts that have an 11-degree positive rake for good chip clearance: 2 each with tip radiuses of 1/32", 3/64", and 1/16". Generally the 1/32" and 3/64" inserts would be used for hollowing tips or small butts whereas the 1/16" insert would be used for larger butts. The specifications for the carbide inserts are provided with the instructions.

Included with the hollowing tool is a micrometer tip that goes on the bottom anvil of a micrometer so you can measure the thickness of the hollowed wall. This attachment measures approximately .500" high. The tip has a 1/32" radius that will fit inside the hollow of a strip.

In order for the Hollow Fluting Cutter Attachment to work properly the shims from a swelled butt kit must be used. If you don't have the kit you will need to order it along with the fluting cutter.

Included with the Hollow Fluting Cutter is a detailed set of instructions with photographs.

Aluminum Angle
The aluminum angle accessory is available separately for original Hand Mills that were shipped prior to its inclusion. It is my recommendation that this accessory be used with all Hand Mills.

Dial Indicator Holder/Shaving Tool
This attachment fits on the front of the Hand Mill plane and is provided with new Hand Mills. It is a combination dial indicator holder and anvil shaving tool.

The dial indicator for adjusting a taper was originally affixed with a special holder to the rear of the plane in lieu of the plane handle with the dial indicator sticking out the back. This put the dial indicator at the opposite end from the cutting head and separated by the length of the plane. This method of attaching the dial would sometimes, but not always, result in slightly inaccurate readings. It was also cumbersome to use the dial indicator particularly when truing anvils. As a result of these observations I, along with my assistant Bill Blackburn, designed a combination dial indicator holder/shaving tool that not only holds the dial indicator but also provides a method of truing the top of anvils. The new unit mounts in lieu of the cutter head and puts the dial indicator just ahead of the point where the bamboo is cut resulting in very accurate measurements. Another feature of the new design is if you are truing an anvil it's easy to remove only the dial indicator and to readjust the truing cutter for precise anvil shaving.

The dial indicator holder/shaving tool holds a regular carbide insert perpendicular to the anvil so that when the anvil is trued the top is flat. Since the anvils are flat on top they will accommodate bamboo strips that have the natural outer curve of the bamboo or, if the user flattens the enamel side of the strips, they will also accommodate flat strips. Sometimes during the use of the Hand Mill an anvil may become damaged or it may be cut too narrow at the tip. You can use the shaving insert to dress the top of an anvil removing a few thousands of an inch of plastic anvil. The new shaving tool can be used for limited shaving of bamboo strips to flatten them on the pith side but won't hold up nearly as well as the tool steel flat cutter head for long term use.

The new dial indicator holder/shaving tool is made from aluminum and is clear anodized for good durability. A standard dial indicator fits into the tool and is held in place with a stainless steel set screw with a nylon tip to prevent damage to the indicator barrel. Included with it is a carbide insert and screw, two button head screws to attach it to the Hand Mill slide, and instructions.

Ingvar Nilsson of Sweden designed the original dial indicator holder that fit on the front of the Hand Mill and even though it was somewhat different from ours I appreciate and acknowledge his creativity.