Rotary cutting tool

A rotary cutting tool comprising:

• an elongated generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second terminal body ends, a portion of said body adjacent said first end comprising a shank portion and a portion of said body adjacent said second end comprising a cutting portion;
• at least one groove extending axially of said body along at least a section of said cutting portion to said second end and terminating in an insert receiving pocket;
• a coolant flow passage in said body including an inlet in said shank portion and an outlet in said cutting portion, said flow passage being configured to permit at least some portion of a coolant passed therethrough to flow toward communication with said insert receiving pocket;
• a cutting insert disposed in said receiving pocket having a first cutting edge having a length less than the radius of said body second end and extending radially of said body at a location axially outward of said second end, said first cutting edge extending from an innermost end disposed radially outward of said longitudinal axis to an outermost end disposed at least slightly beyond the radial outermost area of said body second end, said cutting insert including a distinct coolant flow groove in the outer face of said insert generally following the contour of said first cutting edge adjacent thereto and generally coextensive therewith, said flow groove having a distinct coolant entrance area in fluid communication with said body coolant flow passage outlet and a distinct coolant exit area spaced from said entrance area, whereby coolant introduced under pressure to said body coolant flow passage at said inlet during a material removal operation will pass therethrough and along said coolant flow groove for providing hydro-static chip support and a thermoshield for reducing cutting temperatures.