I finally tried out my K-tools octa mill, wow the salesman and I were amazed with it.
It is 1.25" with 3 inserts in a X20 grade. I ran it full cutter width in HTSR 4140. 1750 RPM, .075DOC with a 16.2IPM feed. Cut like butter, beautiful golden chips coming off. Machine didn't bog down at all and was very quite in the cut. Can do 2/3 cutter width .050DOC at 32.4 IPM with ease, thats about 550SFM, and a .006 per tooth.
I would not hesitate to go to 1.5" dia if I had to do it again, the machine could handle it no problem. I will also purchase a .75" dia end mill from K-tools when I have a big pocket for it. They can be ramped in at 25 degrees, I cant wait to try it out.
The other great thing was that the cutter body was only $165, with the inserts about $13 each (8 cutting edges). I don't know any other manufacture that sells body for that price, except for rotarytech. I looked into the cutters from rotary and would have had to ship and pay brokerage fees with every insert order.
We abused it for a while, and even stalled the machine out mid cut. Except for the stall that damaged one cutting edge on one inserts. There are no signs of wear even after the hot rolled scale and some P20.
After using an octa mill for my self I think it is the only way to go for a Tormach. I don't work for K-tools, just really impressed with the cutter.
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