Auger bit with interlocking feed screw and cutting insert

1. An auger bit comprising:

a shaft having a central axis, a first passageway having a central axis which is angled at an acute angle relative to the central axis, said first passageway at least partially passing through said central axis, and a second passageway which is concentric with said central axis;

a cutting insert mounted to said shaft in said first passageway;

a feed screw that is separate from the cutting insert, said feed screw mounted to said shaft in said second passageway, said cutting insert and said feed screw engaged with each other; and

a locking member securing the feed screw member to the shaft.

2. An auger bit as defined in claim 1 , wherein said shaft includes a third passageway in which said locking member is mounted, said third passageway intersecting with said second passageway.

3. An auger bit as defined in claim 2 , wherein said third passageway is perpendicular to said second passageway.

4. An auger bit as defined in claim 1 , wherein said shaft includes a passageway which is smaller in dimension than said first passageway and which intersects with said first passageway.

5. An auger bit as defined in claim 1 , wherein said feed screw has a shaft, and said cutting insert includes a groove, said shaft of said feed screw being positioned within said groove in said cutting insert.

6. An auger bit as defined in claim 5 , wherein said cutting insert includes a generally cylindrical body with a central axis having a first end and a second end, cutting edges formed on said first end, and a groove having a central axis that forms a forty-five degree angle with said central axis of the body.

7. An auger bit as defined in claim 1 , wherein said feed screw has a generally cylindrical shank, and a flat surface provided on said shank, said locking member engaging against said flat surface.

8. An auger bit as defined in claim 1 , wherein said feed screw has a generally conically shaped threaded portion having a first end, a second end and a central axis defined therebetween, said first end having a diameter which is less than a diameter at said second end, a stem extending from said second end of said threaded portion, said stem having a first end, a second end and a central axis defined therebetween, said stem having a diameter that is less than the diameter of said threaded portion at said second end, and a flat surface that forms a depression within the stem and that forms an acute angle with the central axis of the stem, the depth of the depression lessening as the depression progresses away from the threaded portion.

9. An auger bit as defined in claim 8 , wherein said acute angle is five degrees.

10. A shaft for a cutting tool comprising:

a continuous land and flute extending from a leading end to a trailing end, a shaft central axis extending between said leading end and said trailing end, a first passageway having a central axis angled relative to said shaft central axis, said first passageway at least partially passing through said shaft central axis, said first passageway having a diameter, and a second passageway having a central axis which is aligned with said central axis of said first passageway, said first and second passageways commencing at diametrically opposed positions along said shaft, said second passageway having a diameter which is smaller than said diameter of said first passageway.

11. A shaft as defined in claim 10 , wherein said central axis of said first passageway forms an acute angle with the central axis of said shaft.

12. A shaft as defined in claim 10 , further including a third passageway intersecting with said first passageway, said third passageway having a central axis aligned with said shaft central axis.

13. A shaft as defined in claim 12 , further including a fourth passageway which intersects with said third passageway and is perpendicular to said shaft central axis.

14. An auger bit comprising:

a shaft having a central axis, a first passageway which has a central axis which is angled relative to the central axis of said shaft, said first passageway at least partially passing through the central axis of the shaft, a second passageway which is concentric with said central axis of said shaft, and a third passageway which is smaller in dimension than said first passageway and which intersects with said first passageway;

a cutting insert mounted to said shaft in said first passageway;

a feed screw that is separate from the cutting insert, said feed screw mounted to said shaft in said second passageway, said cutting insert and said feed screw engaged with each other; and

a locking member securing the feed screw member to the shaft.

15. An auger bit comprising:

a shaft having a central axis;

a cutting insert mounted to said shaft, said cutting insert includes a generally cylindrical body with a central axis having a first end and a second end, cutting edges formed on said first end, and a groove having a central axis that forms a forty-five degree angle with said central axis of the body;

a feed screw having a shaft, said feed screw is separate from the cutting insert, said feed screw mounted to said shaft, said cutting insert and said feed screw engaged with each other such that said shaft of said feed screw is positioned within said groove in said cutting insert; and

a locking member securing the feed screw member to the shaft.