Hello everyone I've just purchased a sherline mill package from sherline and I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice on micro end mills, like what are some quality name brands and should I buy up cutting bits and how many flutes is best , thanks
sherline mills. There are so many kinds. Can you specify which one you bought?
I bought the sherline 5500A package, it comes with end mills but I definitely need some smaller ones..
There are many souurces. MSC, Grainger, McMaster-Carr...Thank you for your time and information I appreciate it..
Hi Bird,
To my mind a lot depends on what material you want to machine.
Also what sort of diameter do you call "micro".
4 flute cutters (what I would call an end mill ) are stronger than 2 flute (what I would call a slot drill ), end mills are good for cutting along an edge and slot drills are good for cutting a slot due to their ability to clear more swarf rapidly, although this is not a rule and both can do the same job as each other within reason.
I tend to get cutters from Bangood, EBay or Alli express, I know the quality is not as good but they do the sort of work I want which is mainly non ferrous metal or wood.
Another consideration is what is the spindle rpm?
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Stephen.
I am in synch with Stephen, depending on the material you will need to mill, you can get very good quality endmills (mini or even micro 0.2mm) from AliExpress, a few brands I would like to mention are BB and Dreanique. Also, the variety of your endmills will depend on the collet system your mill comes with.
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Indeed
Here are a few
Very Good decision on the Sherline. I have the same unit (except mine is Metric) still the same machine. The nice thing about this machine is that you only have to change our the Lead Screw and the knobs to convert to mm or inches.
Ok, so this company https://www.2linc.com/ is where I buy all my micro size end mills. They have a section just for plastic AND wood - in this same section, they have what is called "Down-Cut" ENd Mills that have special ends that keep the wood from freying and splintering. The Down-Cuts are down to a size of 1/32" and come in (I think) in two different shank sizes. I have the 1/8 shanks sizes.
Now, here is something you will need to go along with this. Go to sherline and get the End Mill Holder that you need here:
This is a list that shows how many End Mill Holders they have:
End Mill Holder sizes available
Because these holders are so easy to use, we have made them in the following sizes to fit other diameter cutters as well. You will " shank sneed the 1/8 if you buy the 1/8" shank style. I hope this helps.
and finally, here is another company that sells micro size. But I have never bought from them as of yet.
www.harveytool.com
Ok, so this company https://www.2linc.com/ is where I buy all my micro size end mills. They have a section just for plastic AND wood - in this same section, they have what is called "Down-Cut" ENd Mills that have special ends that keep the wood from freying and splintering. The Down-Cuts are down to a size of 1/32" and come in (I think) in two different shank sizes. I have the 1/8 shanks sizes.
Now, here is something you will need to go along with this. Go to sherline and get the End Mill Holder that you need here:
End Mill Holders - Sherline Products
www.sherline.com
This is a list that shows how many End Mill Holders they have:
End Mill Holder sizes available
Because these holders are so easy to use, we have made them in the following sizes to fit other diameter cutters as well. You will " shank sneed the 1/8 if you buy the 1/8" shank style. I hope this helps.
- 3/8″
- 1/8″
- 5/32″
- 3/16″
- 1/4″
- 5/16″
- 1/2″ x 1.2″*
- 1/2″ x 2″*
- 6.0 mm
- 8.0 mm
- 10.0 mm
and finally, here is another company that sells micro size. But I have never bought from them as of yet.
Find Specialty Carbide End Mills and Cutting Tools at Harvey Tool
For over 30 years Harvey Tool has been providing specialty carbide end mills and cutting tools to the metalworking industry. Find your local cutting tool distributor.
www.harveytool.com
Thank you so much for the information I really appreciate it, I bought the package kit and it came with this end mill holder and 3 collet sizes and some other things, I heard you have some videos on the mill how can I find those I would love to see them , I've used it to make a jig so far and I absolutely love it, thanks again for your time and information..
yes, that is the standard "given" 3/8" end mill Holder. In order to hold a 1/8" shank (which is going to be the micro size), you will need to order the 1/8" shank sized End Mill Holder from Sherline.
I hope this helps some. I can answer almost any question you have about the Mill. Did you get the Digital Read Out ?
I hope this helps some. I can answer almost any question you have about the Mill. Did you get the Digital Read Out ?
OK thank you, hope you have a great day..
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I have the same mill, the DRO version. Agree with Donnie on all points. There are sooooo many mill bit options it can be overwhelming. Others have offered great information and links. I have purchased some of Sherline's end mills. But as Jim stated, A.E. offers some very affordable tools and I have used 2 of the brands he listed, with great results.
Just a couple of general points, from my own experience. Typically, the fewer number of flutes the more material can be removed, at the cost of a rougher cut. Conversely, 4 flutes will give you a much smoother surface than 3 flutes, but at a slower feed speed. Also, I do use Sherline's end mill holder, but only with larger diameter mills and typically working with metal or very hard woods. For wood work with small or micro mills I will use a chuck. The resistance forces are not so great. I've never had a mill come loose in the chuck.
It's fun to experiment and be creative flattening the learning curve. You will discover, depending on the tolerances required by the task your performing, it may be more efficient/effective to build a small jig and hand feed rather than set up the vice every time. It just depends on what you're doing.
Sherline makes great tools. Have fun!
Just a couple of general points, from my own experience. Typically, the fewer number of flutes the more material can be removed, at the cost of a rougher cut. Conversely, 4 flutes will give you a much smoother surface than 3 flutes, but at a slower feed speed. Also, I do use Sherline's end mill holder, but only with larger diameter mills and typically working with metal or very hard woods. For wood work with small or micro mills I will use a chuck. The resistance forces are not so great. I've never had a mill come loose in the chuck.
It's fun to experiment and be creative flattening the learning curve. You will discover, depending on the tolerances required by the task your performing, it may be more efficient/effective to build a small jig and hand feed rather than set up the vice every time. It just depends on what you're doing.
Sherline makes great tools. Have fun!
Thanks for your time and information, I appreciate it..
Hi Bird,
Look at the end of the mill. I personally mill exclusively brass and occasionally aluminum. 10 years+ and still a learning process. I prefer 4-flute bits for my work which is primarily 1/16 scale. Look at the end of the mill you are thinking of purchasing. There are different end profiles, a ball for a radius and flat for a tight corners.
I am not familiar with your Sherline but if it is an adjustable chuck than bit diameter size is probably not an issue. It would be if you were running a collet setup. Collets are better in a lathe setup, run truer than a chuck.
Look at the end of the mill. I personally mill exclusively brass and occasionally aluminum. 10 years+ and still a learning process. I prefer 4-flute bits for my work which is primarily 1/16 scale. Look at the end of the mill you are thinking of purchasing. There are different end profiles, a ball for a radius and flat for a tight corners.
I am not familiar with your Sherline but if it is an adjustable chuck than bit diameter size is probably not an issue. It would be if you were running a collet setup. Collets are better in a lathe setup, run truer than a chuck.