Thread Mill Cutter Help Needed

[TZ250]

Hello everyone,
Where is a good place to buy a thread mill? I need a 2.5 mm pitch. I thought about buying a Kennametal insert cutter, but I don't need that kind of volume. I priced an endmill type of thread mill, but it was more expensive than the insert cutter!

This cutter will only be used in aluminum.

I'm not opposed to buying a nice Kennametal, it has many advantages, but I'd like to consider more options. I'm having a difficult time finding cutters to compare.


Thanks in advance.

[Geof]

If your ID is large enough and you are not going to deep I have found the Double Angle Cutters from Niagara good for thread milling in both aluminum and steel. They come in different OD's but I think the smallest is 1/2". Available from KBC Tools. http://www.kbctools.com/

[psychomill]

I use both indexable and solid carbide types for different reasons. If you have the room and can attain the depth you need, then a indexable one is nice. Many people opt for this since you can change pitch of the threadmill simply by changing inserts.

Single point cutters like Geof mentioned can do many different pitches as well. The only downfall is that you have so many interpolations since you're only cutting one thread rotation at a time.

Here's another source for mills from Vardex . Another common and popular brand...

[ctate2000]

There are some single edge tools on the market. They are good for almost infinate range of thread pitches. They look like regular angle mill but have better geometry.

[TZ250]

Thanks guys. I should have mentioned that the only part I need this for, at this time, is O.D. The length of thread is approximately 1/2".

[cdlenterprises]

Try Internal Tool for solid carbide.... www.internaltool.com

[keebler303]

http://www.kodiakcuttingtools.com/Th...c-Threads+244/

[big_mak]

Look at SCT tools, they have something similar to what Geof describes in solid carbide. They will accomodate more that one thread pitch, which makes a single tool quite versatile. The typical endmill style thread mill will be limited to the pitch of threads you can cut.

http://www.sct-usa.com/tm10.asp

[TZ250]

Earlier today, I placed an order with J&L Industrial. I ordered a Kennametal thread mill with a 5/8 I.C. The 2.5mm pitch is only available in that insert size.

To change the thread slightly, what speed and feed do you recommend for aluminum with this thread mill? My max RPM is 4,200.