Micro Tools

[cunder]

Can some recomend a good micro ball endmill suitable for aluminum cutting? .020" dia and smaller.

[htm01]

i use http://www.cetdirect.com/ pg 18-20

[Tony35]

check harvey tools

 

HTH

[Mr. M]

A+ for Harvey

[Josh Kinney -Elite Engineering]

Mitsubishi makes some fine cutters in small sizes, when nobody has the size I need, Mitsubishi does.

[35K chipper]

www.harvreytool.com

 

page 40 09/2009 cat cvd diamond endmills.

 

you will be an old man like me when you wear those out in aluminum. you need lots of rpm like 35k. I use them every day.

 

35k

[DavidSV]

35K, How do the CVD endmills hold up in aluminum castings?

[Tim Johnson]

+1 for Mitsubishi as far as the end mill choices are concerned. Their carbide is also much better than Harvey's but the problem with them is most of the selection is listed as stocked in Japan only. Some of that tooling is stocked in CA but not much. If you can wait the promised two weeks (usually three) then it's worth it.

 

A little tip for the Mitsubishi users;

When calling your distributor to see if if that tool is stocked more locally thay call the California distribution center. There's is also a center in Toronto that has a better selection for the Japan only tooling. Make sure your distributor calls them also.

[thtalim]

buy single lips cutter blank & single lips cutter grinder. You can make whatever size you want.

[gms1]

I haven't cut with tools that small in diameter in awhile, but when we did I used Robb Jack.

[35K chipper]

David,

very well in cast aluminum even when there is sand in the casting. that's why i started using them. now i use them in every thing that's non ferrous, alum, plastic, mag, copper, zinc, carbon, makor, graphite, and silver. they last 40 to 50 times longer than regular micro grain cadbide. do the math these are way cheaper in the long run.

 

35k

[Dave.L]

We use Harvey tools as well, mostly special sizes that are not stocked by others. Rad, keyseat cutters, chamfer cutters (can't understand why more companies don't make these).

 

They are good tools but some are a bit expensive. Your paying $$$ to have special sizes from stock no doubt.