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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    245

    Default Good carbide end mill source?

    I had some spring steel recently (HRC up to 63 according to wikipedia) and it ate my HSS cutters - 3 in fact.

    So I was thinking I'd buy a carbide end mill set to cut harder materials. Anyone have a good source, like on ebay for a set? I found a few single ones but they stated they'd cut up to HRC 45 which seems too low, e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12mm-dia...8AAOSw0GJZpNh-

    Are these any good? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5Pcs-Tun...AAAOSwvYZZmqs5

    Cheers

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Upwey VIC
    Posts
    186

    Default

    https://www.lprtoolmakers.com.au/car...ank-2-to-12mm/

    Haven't tried them myself, yet.
    Andrew

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
    Posts
    1,038

    Default

    I've used these Wenling guys on AliExpress for lathe and mill tooling and have been well satisfied YMMV. I haven't tried any of their end mills but I see they offer carbide end mills up to 60HRC.

    https://www.aliexpress.com/store/gro...477e8752TkX2yu

    Looking at the ebay store attached to your link I don't think the seller has much metal machining expertise.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Albury
    Posts
    11

    Default

    I'm afraid you generally get what you pay for when it comes to carbide tooling. Tools suitable for use on materials up to HRC45 are a common starting hardness. Tools to handle material up to HRC65 are generally available. Coatings and grind can make a considerable difference to tool life and suitability for purpose.

    Have a look at this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY6o04ODJ3U

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    I’ve used this seller reasonably often for carbide tools over the years. Items in carbidechiu store on eBay !

    While carbide is definitely NOT all the same (as was suggested by a forum member recently), by the same token it can be taken to be more complex than may be required for most of us here. My experience is that a tool running under CNC control on a rigid machine will be run harder and more towards its highest optimum cutting ability when compared to manual use. So while the talk of coatings and higher grades of carbide are definitely true, I don’t think it’s worth losing too much sleep over as long as you’re running the tool somewhat close to its intended purpose. The recent discussion questioning (quite rudely) why a masonry drill wasn’t “just the same” as a drill designed for drilling multiple materials would be an example. A carbide end mill designed for cutting aluminium is probably not going to hold up well to heavy interrupted cuts in hardened steel, so that would be another example. Etc etc.

    For onsies-twosies I wouldn’t fuss over it too much, and I’ve never had any issues with the tooling from the above supplier.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Townsville, Tropical Nth Qld.
    Posts
    225

    Default

    Up above in the Your favorite tooling supplier thread, Toggy said he bought some from Maritool. I checked the site but was not exactly sure which ones he bought.
    Rgds,
    Crocy

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Kyabram. Vic
    Posts
    632

    Default

    That was me.

    I went for the variable flute variety. Got the set plus an extra 5/8".

    Very nice looking product and sharp edges. I haven't used them as yet; seems such a shame to mark them.

    Ken

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Emerald Central Qld
    Posts
    349

    Default

    Do you need to machine it hard, can it be heated to remove hardness, machined and then rehardened.

    I take larger items to a local spring maker and when they get a chance it goes in with a batch of truck springs .
    Just grind to size or to clean up when it comes back.

    Saves heaps on cutters.

    Michael

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