High Flute Count Finishing Tools- Aluminum

[cincy k]

I've been looking a bit closer at finishing tools for aluminum, particularly the longer flute lengths 3xd+. I've found 5 and 7 flute tools from Data Flute and 4 and 5 flute tools from Swiftcarb. What others are out on the market and readily accessible? Looking for diameters from 1/4" up to 3/4".

 

TK

[Guest]

Frasia, OSG,  and Harvey come to mind.

[THEE THAINZ™]

MA FORD, Destiny, and Imco

[cool]

helical

[cincy k]

Helical is limited to 3 flute for the non-ferrous stuff, called them today. 

Frasia looks to be limited to 3 flutes for anything with a square end. 

Harvey is a good call up to 1/4". They have some 5 flute 1/4" finishers.

Have to look into OSG a bit deeper.

Destiny looks to be limited to 3 flutes as well from everything on their website. 

Imco looks limited to 3 flutes on their Streaker series. 

MA Ford, I'll take a peak through their stuff. I tried some of their smaller stuff a while back and it chatters like a mofo.

 

So i guess it begs the questions. I guess I could use a five fluted steel finishing tool that is uncoated? I wonder how it would perform.

Really the idea of going with more flutes is speed along with wall straightness. We've had trouble with say a 2" LOC staying straight enough in 7075. The larger core diameters with the larger flute counts seem to help.

[Jayson Kramer]

Why do you feel you need a 5 to 7 flt end mill to finish alum?  Well I kind of see your last statement of why.

But I know using Desteny tools for long tools and using there High spiral 3flt work great.

[Chipmakr]

_{http://www.fraisa.com/us/}

_{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQPJXdVrw6U}

 

 

_{These two have lots of LOC options. I can usually fin the perfect length as a standard, even if its an oddball loc.}

_{http://www.ns-tool.com/english/}

 

_{http://www.usuniontool.com/}

[Guest]

I don't look just use "aluminum" tools. Generally I have to use a "steel" tool. Kicks @$$ only on days that end with "y" so that may not help you.

[cincy k]

Awesome video. So use the higher flute count "steel" tools is what I take from this.

 

TK

[MIL-TFP-41]

These are awesome...however in the past I found that their availability was not stellar.

 

http://benchmarkcarbide.com/catalog/categories/Aluminum-Nonferrous-Metals/5-Flute-Nonferrous-Metals/

[mkd]

These are awesome...however in the past I found that their availability was not stellar.

 

http://benchmarkcarbide.com/catalog/categories/Aluminum-Nonferrous-Metals/5-Flute-Nonferrous-Metals/

Owner of that company paid a visit to a shop I was working about ten years ago. Sharp guy:P

3 flute cutters with their yellow coating work great.

[dstryr]

Swift carb make 4 and 5 flute tools for aluminum.

[sTruGGleBus]

I know this thread is for finishers, but since Destiny was brought up:

Does anyone know of a tool that can compete with their Diamondback for roughing?  I'm getting 95cipm with their 5/8" 3flute.

[civiceg]

 I use Helical five flutes for finishing tight holes/bores, works pretty well just have to back off the rpms a bit. 

 

Also, larger diameters for finishing walls, 3/4 5 flute will leave almost no taper with a spring pass on a 2.0 DOC. 

[cincy k]

Talked with Helical Solutions today and they said to use their HEF 5 flute series. It's traditionally a finishing tool for steels but will work just fine for light finishing of aluminum especially some of the higher strength ones like 7075. Only thing to watch out for is galling on the walls if the aluminum starts to weld to the AlTin or TiAlN, whichever they use, coating. They said they've had good success with it. Pretty cool.

[specv]

I am surprised that helical didn't say they could get you uncoated HEF endmills. They also have a HSF 7fl. 

[cincy k]

They can. I'm a job shop and looking for something as stocked standard when particular types of jobs roll around. They have a new variable pitch 7 flute too that we've used on Ti. Might give that a whirl to keep harmonics under control.

 

TK 

[Bob W.]

I know this thread is for finishers, but since Destiny was brought up:

Does anyone know of a tool that can compete with their Diamondback for roughing?  I'm getting 95cipm with their 5/8" 3flute.

MA Ford 134 series will beat that.  With 3/4" 3-flute I am removing 100 cipm conservatively and 180 cipm if I really want to get after it.  At 180 tool life needs to be monitored but at 100 it will run forever.

[#Rekd™]

I use the Niagara A345 3 flutes with similar results to Bob.