Latest Trend in End Mills and Cutting Tools
 by: Dave Butry

A new line of aluminum cutting end mills have recently been introduced to the mix. These tools are made from sub-micro grain carbide and are available in regular and long lengths. Additionally, they can be ordered uncoated or with a high performance zirconium coating. We have been marketing American made tooling on the internet and have been serving customers for over 2 years. We offer a full line of metal cutting tools such as…end mills, drill bits, threadmills, micro end mills, hand taps, NPT Pipe taps, S&D drill bits, and center drills.

End mills are fluted tools designed specifically for periphery and slot cutting applications. They can be used to machine steel, plastic, wood, stainless steel, aluminum and many other materials. They are sought after because of their precise ability to cut to exacting tolerances when utilizing a manual or CNC milling machine. A flute is simply a cutting edge, sometimes with a helix, sometimes straight, your application will determine which style you choose. Helical flutes pull the chips up, and out of the way, the cutter can then cut more freely reducing heat buildup and decreasing machine cycle times.

End mills can have a vast number of flutes. Most common in machine shops are 2, 3 and 4 flute tools. Four flute cutters give you four cuts per rotation and are preferred in profile milling applications. Four flutes are not as useful in softer materials because they do not provide enough space between the flutes to evacuate chips sufficiently, whereas the two flute cutters are not as durable in very abrasive materials. Therefore, two flute end mills are superior in softer more flexible materials and four or more flute cutters are generally preferred in very hard or abrasive materials.

When using an end mill to cut a slot in a work piece, it’s best to have a hole already in the part. That way the end mill will not have to cut to center. Kodiak cutting tools offers a wide variety of hss, cobalt and carbide drill bits for your slot starting needs. Also, a two flute end mill is the best tool for a slotting cut. When a 2 flute end mill is used, the chips are lifted out of the slot. If the chips don’t get up and out of the cutters way, the end mill will re-cut the chips causing premature failure. Additionally, if a four flute end mill is used, the chips may become lodged in the flutes causing the tool to break. Kodiak Cutting Tools offers a wide variety of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 flute end mills.

About The Author

Written By Dave Butry, An associate of www.kodiakcuttingtools.com.