The precision of CNC milling depends largely on having the right end mills for the project you’re working on. What can you do with an end mill? In general, end mills are designed to make horizontal cuts, but they can also drill (plunge) into the workpiece you are working on. If you’re just starting out with some simple milling projects on your CNC machine, you may be in the dark as to which end mills you should buy first. Here’s a good starter set to get you going.
End Mill Starter Set
The following end mills should be made from carbide and in 1/4” and 1/8” diameters.
- 2-flute upcut end mill – this is one of the most commonly used end mills. The fact that it is “upcut” means that when you are milling, the chips will be brought to the top of the workpiece, leaving a smooth surface at the bottom.
- 2-flute downcut end mill – this is another versatile mill. In this case the chips will go to the bottom of the workpiece, leaving a smooth surface on the top.
- 60 or 90 degree v-cut bit – this is a very handy cutter if you are making hardwood signs and you wish to create grooves or slots with a v-shaped bottom.
- Roughing mill (or hog mill) – this is great if you are cutting metal, such as steel. I tis able to withstand high speed rates.
- Single- flute mill – if you are cutting metals such as aluminum, which create large chips, a single-flute mill will help prevent chip build-up and overheating.
Call our expert team at CAMaster today, so we can arrange a meeting and we can show you our range of high quality CNC routers and plasma cutters. You won’t be disappointed with our products or our services. Why wait any longer?