Smallish face mill

[matthewsx]

Thanks, my application probably doesn't include cutting anything at .400" and probably not a 90° shoulder either. I just want to be able to do some surfacing on relatively small parts, with my very small mill....

JOhn

 

[davidpbest]

Would this style of insert have enough grades to cover steel, aluminum and bronze?

Guess I really need to buy your book @davidpbest

JOhn

My book is about lathe tooling, not indexable milling cutters. Sorry.

One of the things I like best about the Haas indexable tooling is that they are very clear what material the insert is best suited for. Most of the other insert manufacturers assign a cryptic and proprietary grading code that is only helpful in understand what materials it will work well with if you have their 4" thick tooling catalog.

For instance.

 

[davidpbest]

Thanks, my application probably doesn't include cutting anything at .400" and probably not a 90° shoulder either. I just want to be able to do some surfacing on relatively small parts, with my very small mill....

JOhn

In that case, I would suggest a 2.5" HOP type. The insert has 8 cutting edges, so it should last a long time.

HOP, 2-1/2" Ø Shell Mill, 3/4" Pilot Bore x 45° Lead Angle, 5 Flute, Positive/Positive Geometry

This Haas Octagon Positive shell mill is a great choice for general face milling applications. It has a 2-1/2" cutting diameter, and a 3/4" pilot bore, with a 45-degree cutting edge. The cutter body takes 5 octagon cutting inserts with positive/positive geometry. The screw clamping inserts have...

www.haascnc.com

You will need a face mill arbor and the screw that goes with the Haas face mill.

3/4" Arbor 3/8"-24 UNF Thread, Shell Mill Coolant Slot Arbor Screw

www.haascnc.com

 

[matthewsx]

David, thanks for the concise answer to my questions. I can definitely see the advantage to the HAAS system and I really would like to invest in tooling that will grow with my skills and tools going forward.

Here's the mill in question:


And the arbor I'll need to adapt to unless I find a facemill that works on a 1/2" arbor or I gain enough confidence to make a 4C collet:


I also have a CNC mill project that takes BT20 tooling, a standard created by the Keebler Elves according to a member on another forum.

Yes, tiny stuff but I have grand ambitions for my next tool building project.

John

 

[davidpbest]

Wow - that's really cool. Looks like a watch makers Kearney & Trecker. I assume there is some kind of belt drive on the back of that mill?

 

[matthewsx]

Wow - that's really cool. Looks like a watch makers Kearney & Trecker. I assume there is some kind of belt drive on the back of that mill?

It’s essentially a headstock from one of their lathes, the belts are in the middle.

 

[matthewsx]

Just got this one today.





John

 

[Illinoyance]

That is an awfully big cutter for that dinky machine.

 

[matthewsx]

That is an awfully big cutter for that dinky machine.

It's 2", other than end mills I'm not sure I can find anything smaller. Will make up an arbor and give it a try, if it doesn't work out I guess I'll have to buy something larger.

The machine is pretty stout for it's size though....

John

 

[Illinoyance]

I have a 1.5" HSS shell mill if you are interested.