Need Machinists advice on Endmill selection

Hankins

Hankins

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Dec 7, 2008
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Need a Machinists advice on Endmill selection...
Want to start doing some bloodgrooves on my blades and need help selecting Ball Endmills.
Mainly will be using ATS34 and A2 tool steel on the blades
Do I use Carbide...Cobalt...or HSS endmills?
Also is there a particular brand that is better?
Lastly Should I use a Two flute to rough it in and a 4flute for finish work?
Newby to this
 
TheArizonaKidd.com said:
Need a Machinists advice on Endmill selection...
Want to start doing some bloodgrooves on my blades and need help selecting Ball Endmills.
Mainly will be using ATS34 and A2 tool steel on the blades
Do I use Carbide...Cobalt...or HSS endmills?
Also is there a particular brand that is better?
Lastly Should I use a Two flute to rough it in and a 4flute for finish work?
Newby to this
Click to expand...

I would use a 4 flute carbide end mill no questions asked. the 2 flute mills are great on aluminum but not so on steel. you have to monitor your chip load per flute plus in the size you will be working with a 4 flute will be stronger then a 2. but ya do carbide all the way, i only use HSS when i run a 1" rougher because i go through them like butter :rolleyes:. if you want to try a 4 flute carbide ball endmill out i could round one up one for you to play with.
 
Go with the 4 flute Carbide. OSG, Cleveland, Monster Tool, and Kennametal. Can't go wrong with any of those. I would consider OSG at the top.
 
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BlackToe Knives said:
HSS end mills work great. Carbides mills are very expensive. Just be careful of your speed and plenty of coolant. 4 Flutes end mills are great. But since you are doing a plunge cut, 4 flute end mill leaves a little nipple in the bottom of the initial cut it will break your end mill when you try to cut. Are you putting a radius in your blood groove? You will need a ball end mill.

I worked as machinist for 8 years. If I was doing a blood groove. I would use a two flute end mill.

Here is a link explaining end mills
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Accessories/End_mills/end_mills.htm
Click to expand...

a 4 flute ball endmill does not leave a nipple, and most of the 4 flute endmills we use are sharpened so we can plunge cut. I can hook you up with ball or flat, just let me know.
 
JTknives said:
a 4 flute ball endmill does not leave a nipple, and most of the 4 flute endmills we use are sharpened so we can plunge cut. I can hook you up with ball or flat, just let me know.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected. Thank you JT for pointing out the errors of my way.
 
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Carbide is stiffer and will leave a better finish.

I agree that OSG is top shelf. I also frequently use MSC's accupro brand because they're been having 30%- 40% off sales pretty frequently that gets applied in full to the already well priced accupro stuff. They have some that are specifically for stainless that will leave a better finish and cause less work hardening difficulties, just keep an eye out for a sale (listed on their website everyday, today is 50% off kennametal inserts)

Four flute would be the ticket if you were cutting with the side of a square end, but for this I would use a two flute and feed half as hard. The abbreviated gash of a four flute ball leaves a witness mark, and even four flute balls are two flute at the very tip, which is where you'll be using it. Also, the reduced cutter engagement will reduce chatter and wiggling in a less then perfectly rigid mill.
 
For a good deal on carbide end mills go to ebay and use advanced search then select sellors the enter this guy adowens5 . He sells 1/8"-3/8" carbide end mills both ball and flat that are slightly used. I think in the circuit board industry. I have stocked up and have been very satisfied for the money. I have not got one piece of junk. Like $25 for 10 1/8" end mills. If you are a learner like me, you are also a breaker. Especially on the small stuff. Big clue the faster it spins the better. Jim
 
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