Deep wood cutting with long end mill?

[jaru-eri]

Is it possible to make 25mm deep profile cutting with a long 5mm end mill? How many flutes is the best option for wood cutting?

[martin54]

Most of what I profile cut is between 20 to 30mm & I use bits from 3mm to 6mm for this. How many flutes will depend on your machine but generally single or 2 flute cutters will be your best option. If you have a router or high speed spindle then you are unlikely to be able to get the speed & feed settings right for more than 2 flutes.

Just to add I use both spiral & straight flute bits for this, most of the time I use a spiral ramp to profile cut parts out.

If you want to cut 25mm deep in a single pass then you would need to use the last pass option on the toolpath form, you would need to make sure the CEL for the bit is long enough to cut 25mm

Sorry about the number of edits, not quite with it this morning

[garylmast]

I use 6mm and 3mm extra long (approx. 6”) all the time. However, not to break them, set the Pass Depth 35% of the diameter, the Stepover at 35% for End mill or no more than 10% for Ball mills. Feed rate no more than 100 mm/sec or Less. In fact on all of the extra long mill I have, I use the same parameters. DO NOT TRY TO HOG THEM.
Gary

[jaru-eri]

I use 6mm and 3mm extra long (approx. 6”) all the time. However, not to break them, set the Pass Depth 35% of the diameter, the Stepover at 35% for End mill or no more than 10% for Ball mills. Feed rate no more than 100 mm/sec or Less. In fact on all of the extra long mill I have, I use the same parameters. DO NOT TRY TO HOG THEM.
Gary

Most of what I profile cut is between 20 to 30mm & I use bits from 3mm to 6mm for this. How many flutes will depend on your machine but generally single or 2 flute cutters will be your best option. If you have a router or high speed spindle then you are unlikely to be able to get the speed & feed settings right for more than 2 flutes.

Just to add I use both spiral & straight flute bits for this, most of the time I use a spiral ramp to profile cut parts out.

If you want to cut 25mm deep in a single pass then you would need to use the last pass option on the toolpath form, you would need to make sure the CEL for the bit is long enough to cut 25mm

Sorry about the number of edits, not quite with it this morning

I already have some single flute 4mm bits but the CEL is only 14mm. If I can use that bit, which spindle speed will then be the best?

[Jozua]

If I can use that bit, which spindle speed will then be the best?

A good starting point would be to look at a chipload calculator.
Here is an example that may be helpful.
https://gdptooling.com/chipload-calc/
Joz

[garylmast]

One other thing I should mention is I always set the Boundary Offset to the same diameter of the mill, to avoid binding. The time is a little longer but saves on breakage. Also, if I rough cut with a larger mill than my finish, i.e: 6mm rough and 3mm finish, I will also include a 6mm finish. Anything to save stress on the long mills is a necessary.

Gary.