[AvB]

Hi, I'm in Australia and am relatively new to CNC, but have done some cool stuff making model aircraft moulds with my machine. It's a 3 axis mill, with a high speed spindle of min 6000rpm max 24000rpm.

I regularly have to profile out the outside borders of moulds as the final step. They can be up to 45mm thick, and made of Corian, plywood layers laminated with fibreglass, or MDF. I learnt through experience that my standard cutters start to overheat badly in these deep slots, so I'd like to get some cutters for the purpose. I was advised to get cutters with longer flute length and the only ones I could get were HSS and they only lasted a few minutes.

My question is, where would you buy decent quality 6 or 8mm carbide cutters with say 45mm flute length?

Or a special profiling cutter with a shank that's slightly narrower than the cutting diameter?

Thanks,
Andrew

[daniellyall]

it depends on your budget but when getting quality I get them from here Solid Carbide Compression Spiral Bits - Toolstoday.com - CNC Tooling, Insert Tooling, Router Tooling its expensive but good tools

have your tried Google 6 mm carbide endmill 2 flute 45mm long flute if you wont to narrow it down put au at end

[AvB]

That's a great help, thanks. I haven't managed to find long flute lengths there but did find THESE with reduced shank. Probably not their intended use, and an expensive item. I will email them to ask what they'd advise.

Any other suggestions from anyone?

Thanks,
Andrew

[daniellyall]

using long cutters you have to be aware of defection using reduced shank cutters help a bit you can reduce the shank your self on a lathe but the lathe has to be bang on other wise it gets unbalanced my dad does it but the lathe is bang on so there is no problems

[AvB]

Good tip, thanks.