Anyone using Powered Metal End Mills?

[BF]

When it comes to end mills, we are a carbide shop. A tool sales rep was recently telling me about the benefits of end mills that are made from powdered metal. He said that you can push them harder than carbide because they will flex instead of breaking and that they last much longer than HSS end mills. They cost more than HSS but are less expensive than carbide. We machine a variety of materials and I guess I am wondering if maybe the PM End mills would be more than adequate for many jobs that we currently use carbide on. Anyone have any thoughts on Powdered Metal End Mills?

[MACHINEMASTERG]

we use some pm ruffers they work great

[Psychomill]

quote:

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He said that you can push them harder than carbide because they will flex instead of breaking and that they last much longer than HSS end mills.

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Full of crap here... (partially). We've used quite a few powdered metal tools for several years and still do. They do have a good wear rate (depending on coating) than HSS and is even more stable than some Cobalt tooling. But for many apps, you're not going to beat Carbide. Besides, endmill "flex" is partially what causes accelerated wear and breakage, poor repeatability and accuracy. Sounds more like he's giving you a pitch line his pockets from the tool maker.

 

But, powdered metal tools do work very well in apps where you're using HSS or Cobalt tooling. Even for taps....

 

[Roger Peterson]

PM's do work, I've used some with pretty good results, sometimes better than I expected. But, with so many inexpensive carbide options (YG for example), why?

 

I like my OSG taps, thank you very much.

 

JM2C

[Rick Henrickson 65]

we run a fair ammount of PM roughers and pm taps they work well and metal removal rates are very good

[Roger Peterson]

What type of applicatios do you use them? I've only ever used roughers, never tried the taps.