Metal Cutting Bit Options

Basic Bits Overview (See Options Below)

Metal Cutting Mill Bits

Video 1: Discusses number of flutes for best work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHZHplzMf6o

Summary: 1 flute good for soft materials like aluminum. 2 flute is good for rough work, plunges and evacuates the chips. 3 flute good general tool for both rough and finishing with chip evacuation. 5 flute is good for finishing.

Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PnAZlMlT3k

Summary for choosing the best bit. Chose the largest diameter and shortest cutting length you can do for the job. The harder the material the more flutes your cutter you should have. Wood & Plastics 1-2 flute, Aluminum = 2-3 flute. 4 flute = aluminum or Steel. Cemented Carbide for Steel & Aluminum since it is hard and rigid and holds edge. HHS (Hight speed steel) Cheaper, Good for wood and plastic, Used to be used for Aluminum but Carbide is more common now. Use insertable face mill or end mill when possible. Insertable endmills are excellent for roughing. HSS is primarily just used for manual mills, and small CNC mills. Large CNC almost exclusively uses carbide and it is often used for manual and small CNC as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p08xIYxZBLo

End mill coatings aren’t necessary for aluminum and can be a problem if they have Al in them, ZRN will work well for Aluminum. Never cut aluminum dry. Always use coolant. Best option is either 2 or 3 flute. 2 flute is better for ramping and plunging. 3 flute is better for finishing. Angle of the flute around 40 degrees is excellent for overall. 60 degree flute angle is great for finishing.

Face Mill with 1604 Inserts

Economy Face Mill: https://amzn.to/41TzJts

How To Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wjgycEUJwg

Face Mill: https://amzn.to/3E5Tgh4

Inserts for Cutting Aluminum, Carbide Uncoated: https://amzn.to/4cfGU2F

Inserts for Cutting Steel: https://amzn.to/41VDXkf

Inserts for Cutting Stainless Steel: https://amzn.to/42nKu6u

Inserts To Test: https://amzn.to/41VELFN

End Mill with APKT1003 Inserts

Economy End Mill: https://amzn.to/4jfTaCD

How To Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g75FaPG7muo

Carbide Inserts PVD for Steel and Stainless Steel: https://amzn.to/41TCjj8

Carbide Insert with PVD for Steel and Stainless Steel: https://amzn.to/4l8UzfT

Reviews of the parts: Very happy for the price! Cold rolled, 120 thousandths depth of cut, 10" per min, 1500RPM, PM-1045TV mill.

End Mill with 1135 Inserts

Economy End Mill: https://amzn.to/42nMLi2

How To Video:

Steel Cutting Inserts: https://amzn.to/3FS2MFj

Aluminum Cutting Inserts: https://amzn.to/42uJE8U

Stainless Cutting Insert: https://amzn.to/4jbvgIZ

Carbide Inserts for Steel and Cast Iron: https://amzn.to/4hVJrQH

PVD Coated for Steel: https://amzn.to/4lg9YLp

Reviews of the parts:

Insert Dovetail Inserts #6062-0215

Dovetail: https://amzn.to/4jfjlJA

Inserts General Use: https://amzn.to/3E1HTa6

Square Endmill

Square End Mill, 4 Flute, AlTiN, For cutting steel and hardened metals.

Square End Mill 3 Flute ZrN: For Cutting Aluminum

Square End Mill 4 Flute HSS: Economy General bit for Steel, Aluminum, Cast Iron.

Several of the more specialized coating options are available here: https://amzn.to/3RmMerz

Round Endmill

Round Endmill, 4 Flute, AlTiN: For cutting steel & hardened metals.

Round Endmill, 3 Flute, ZrN: For aluminum and copper alloys

Round Endmill, 4 Flute, HSS: Economy General bit for Steel, Aluminum, Cast Iron.

  • Individual Bits:

Countersink

AlTiN: For cutting steel & hardened metals.

Carbide Uncoated: For aluminum and copper alloys

  • Set: 1

HSS: Economy General bit for Steel, Aluminum, Cast Iron.

Corner Rounding

Cobalt Uncoated: For steel, hardened metals, aluminum and copper alloys

HSS: Economy General bit for Steel, Aluminum, Cast Iron.

How To Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtmRvYBZQtU

How To Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1lV1zogHho

Additional Selection Info

Aluminum Cutting Mill Bits

Video 1: Discusses number of flutes for best work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHZHplzMf6o

Summary: 1 flute good for soft materials like aluminum. 2 flute is good for rough work, plunges and evacuates the chips. 3 flute good general tool for both rough and finishing with chip evacuation. 5 flute is good for finishing.

Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PnAZlMlT3k

Summary for choosing the best bit. Chose the largest diameter and shortest cutting length you can do for the job. The harder the material the more flutes your cutter you should have. Wood & Plastics 1-2 flute, Aluminum = 2-3 flute. 4 flute = aluminum or Steel. Cemented Carbide for Steel & Aluminum since it is hard and rigid and holds edge. HHS (Hight speed steel) Cheaper, Good for wood and plastic, Used to be used for Aluminum but Carbide is more common now. Use insertable face mill or end mill when possible. Insertable endmills are excellent for roughing. HSS is primarily just used for manual mills, and small CNC mills. Large CNC almost exclusively uses carbide and it is often used for manual and small CNC as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p08xIYxZBLo

End mill coatings aren’t necessary for aluminum and can be a problem if they have Al in them, ZRN will work well for Aluminum. Never cut aluminum dry. Always use coolant. Best option is either 2 or 3 flute. 2 flute is better for ramping and plunging. 3 flute is better for finishing. Angle of the flute around 40 degrees is excellent for overall. 60 degree flute angle is great for finishing.

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