mark thomas
Titanium
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2004
- Location
- SF Bay Area
I'm doing some shallow engraving in hard maple, 1/32" - 1/16" diameter, flat bottom. I'm using misc end mills I have inherited at various points, but I need to get some new ones. There are some end mill options , mostly: HSS vs. carbide vs. diamond coated, 2-4 flutes, various helix rates. The stuff I inherited and have used include 2 and 4 flute HSS and carbide, and I've got mixed performance, but I cannot tell how much is due to the mil and how much to the original condition (some were obviously new, others unclear if new or lightly used)
So, I'm looking for recommendations for type of end mill and also possibly suppliers.
Btw, with respect to performance, the main issue is getting a clean, burr-free cut, especially where the cut is parallel to grain. Second main concern is life. Clean cuts seems to suggest ultra sharpness, which may favor HSS? Life favors carbide. But are high-quality carbide sharper than lower-quality HSS? Probably no value in diamond here? Does the helix angle have much influence on cut quality?
So, I'm looking for recommendations for type of end mill and also possibly suppliers.
Btw, with respect to performance, the main issue is getting a clean, burr-free cut, especially where the cut is parallel to grain. Second main concern is life. Clean cuts seems to suggest ultra sharpness, which may favor HSS? Life favors carbide. But are high-quality carbide sharper than lower-quality HSS? Probably no value in diamond here? Does the helix angle have much influence on cut quality?