F
12

Switched from HSS to carbide end mills on a tough stainless job last month

I was running 316 stainless on a production run and my HSS tooling was wearing out after like 8 parts. Swapped to a carbide 4-flute from my local supplier and I got 47 parts before I even had to think about tool wear. The feed rate jumped from 20 IPM to 45 IPM too. Has anyone else seen that big of a difference on hard materials?
3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In
3 Comments
blakestone
blakestone1mo ago
And what kind of surface finish were you getting on the 316 before and after the swap? Were you seeing any built-up edge issues with the HSS that went away completely with the carbide? I'm wondering if the jump in tool life was mostly from the material or the coating on your new end mills.
4
the_wendy
the_wendy1mo ago
Carbide on 316 is night and day. My tool life jumped 5x too.
1
hannah320
hannah3201mo ago
Oh man, did you have to tweak your speeds or just let the carbide rip?
-1