Deep cut limits

[sp1nm0nkey]

So, I was told as a rule of thumb, never go more than a diameter and a half deep into the material. Is there any time when you can break this? I have to machine a little aluminum piece to about 1/8th of an inch thick, all the way through, but the minimum corner radius needs to be 1/32nd of an inch. I figured I could use a long reach tool like http://www.harveytool.com/products/p...dius+End+Mills to get the job done... but how should I use it?

[rowbare]

If you do multiple passes you can go deeper than that. I often go 3x diameter and more. Many endmills have sufficient flute depth. In your case a 1/16 end mill would give you the radius you need and would easily cut 1/8" deep in several passes.

bob

[kling8]

That tool will work the thing to keep in mind is those small diameter tools do break easy, so if you speeds and feeds and depth are to far out you could be breaking tools, But if you find the tools sweet spot should work out great..