amy858•2mo ago

Pro tip: I switched from a 4-flute to a 2-flute endmill for a big aluminum hog-out

I was running a big 6061 part on our VF-2 and always used a 4-flute for everything. The foreman said to try a 2-flute for the roughing passes, arguing the bigger chip clearance would help. I ran it at 450 inches per minute and 12,000 RPM, and it just ate through the material without loading up. The finish was way better than I expected too. Anyone else find a simple tool change that fixed a stubborn job?

3 comments

3 Comments

felix_thomas732mo ago

My buddy swapped to a single-flute for plastic and it stopped melting.

leo_campbell1mo ago

Totally, chip clearance is key. Had a similar thing with aluminum where a two-flute just worked way better.

olivere302mo ago

Yeah, that's a solid move. I had the same lightbulb moment with some deep pocket work in 7075. The four-flute was just packing up with chips no matter what I did, and it was killing my tool life. Switched to a two-flute with a more open geometry, and suddenly I could push the feed way harder without the scary noises. It just clears the chips so much better, lets you really move. The finish on the walls was a nice bonus, way less chatter.