[JoaoPortugal]

Hello,

I have a small 3axis CNC router with a Kress 1050 (6 mm) spindle

Here in Portugal it´s quite difficult to find end mills for wood, but quite easy to find end mills for metal.

Is it possible to use a mill intended for cutting metal for cutting wood ?

What would be the best compromise ?

Thank you beforehand

João

[jhowelb]

I've had no problem cutting wood with tools intended to cut metal. Where I have had a problem is in using those tools in a router with a chuch rather than a collet. The spiral of the tool tends to pull itself into the work and out of the chuck and there by losing zero.

I've had good luck regrinding broken carbide tools into a shape good for wood work.

Good luck!

[JoaoPortugal]

Thank you !
Should I try to use a 2 flute end mill, or could a 4 fluted mill (easier to find over here) work ?

Regards

João

[jhowelb]

My experience has been that softer material needs fewer flutes in order to have more room for chip to move. If cutting all the way thru material then a down spiral would be useful.

The long and short of it is don't be afraid to try something and by all means use what works best for you. (may be different form everyone else) And just look at the fun you will have learning! :->

[JoaoPortugal]

Many thanks for your reply and insights !

Regards from Portugal,

João

[kghinsr]

My experience has been that if you can keep the rpm's under 2200 then their
is no problems. When I try this in my router cnc equipment and the slowest speed is 12000 it tends to burn the bit and has also burned the wood.

ken

[ljdm]

I have no troubles at all with end mills meant for metal, I run 1/8" and 1/4" up and down spirals at 16,000rpm in hardwoods. Feed speed in the 2.5ips range. Depth of cut varies with holddown method being used, and accuracy desired

[JoaoPortugal]

Many thanks for your replies !

I will report here my own experiences as soon as I have enough useful data.

Regards from Portugal

João

[a3dcreator]

I use 3/4 metal cutting endmill roughers with 4 flutes. To do most of my wood roughing. As long as you can maintain a good chipload and sfm. Usually lowering your rpms. Ive had no problems with them at all. I have a spindle and vfd that can go as low as 5000 rpms though