[StormForge]

Hi All, I'm running a bunch of small jobs in brass which require a lot of cutting with a 1/32" end mill. I'm having
pretty good luck with these parameters, but I'm breaking end mills if I run any faster:

0.03125" diameter 4-flute HSS mill 0.0625" long
4500 RPM (max)
30% of tool diameter cut depth
Flood coolant
0.000125" chip load
2.5 IPM feed

Does this seem slow? I hate to experiment and break tons of mills... How would you trade cut depth vs feed rate for a little mill like this?

Thanks!
-Bill

[mc-motorsports]

Get a 2 flute EM and repost, will make life MUCH easier.

[StormForge]

Thanks -- what's the thinking behind the 2-flute? I don't think I'm getting much clogging of the flutes with the brass, and the 4-flute end mill should be stronger and allow me to run twice as fast...

Cheers,
-Bill

[mc-motorsports]

You can increase the feedrate because you'll have more room to eject chips. 4 flutes are stronger, made for harder materials where you cut a lighter chip load. A 2 flute HSS is perfect for what your doing.

Good luck!
MC