2 vs 4 flute cutters

[Rob Holowack]

I am about to purchase some .01" and .005" diamter flat end mills to machine small lettering in blue carving wax.

Is there an advantage to using either a 2 flute or 4 flute cutter?

[cadcam]

Why arent you using a ingraving tool that is sharp like 30deg or so from the shank?

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I would tend to favor the 2 flute because they offer better chip evacuation and being that you are machining wax that has a tendency to build up any way, go with 2.

JM2C

[Trevor Bailey]

I agree with James. I machine a lot of models out of wax. 4 fluters build up extremely fast. I do, however, strongly suggest buying an engraving tool. That would be the best way. Are you worried about the taper that the cutter would leave. Do not worry. Even if you go .05 deep in the part, it will look great. You can even get engravers with a 1 degree taper made.

[bryan.davis]

I agree an engraving tool is the way to go, which btw is normally only single fluted

[cadcam]

bryan,

That is how i feel.

JM2C

[Will Slota]

I concur with most who have replied. An engraving tool single flute d-bit style tool with a sharp angle usually works best. INHO.

I usually stone the tip to get the desired diameter.

[Rob Holowack]

I will look into the engraving tool, thanks for the input.

[bryan.davis]

FYI DIXI do some pretty good carbide 'D' bits, which I quite often use for plastic. personally I prefer a 60 degree bit.

I have found that there is often a problem with 'burring' at the bottom of the grove when engraving plastic with a pointed bit, the solution is to very slightly stone the tip blunt to make a flat bottomed tool, not enough so it shows, just enough to make sure the swarf if fully severed from the parent material.

Also, when using an engraving bit take care what font you use, dont try using a filled or bold font (ie anything that you may be temped to machine with a pocked toolpath) with a pointed bit, stick to the simple fonts that you can easilly engrave with contour toolpaths. If you want the 'fancy' fonts then you must use a flat bottomed bit, which as already mentioned are easilly made with 'heavier' stoning, but be prepared to have to experiment in order to get it to look right.