Actually when im on the manual equipment in the toolroom I use that number 160 divide my cutter diameters into it, and it works out ok for my D2 A2 4340 4140 steel cutting. You can optimize your feed and speeds by calculations in the machinery handbook (a g00d book to invest in you only need one for your entire lifespan nice xmas present from someone you know with money HaHa.) After years of machining you can tell by the way the chip looks nice figure 9 shape and blue hot chip with carbide inserted tooling is good for optimumn efficiency, In regards to this statement this is what we produced when machining m300 aircraft forging on large (house sized )millimg machines years ago. Hope this helps you a little, Mike :rainfro: