304 Stainless recommendations

[JMFabrications]

Can anyone recommend a good roughing end mill for 304 SS. I am cutting some stainless exhaust flanges on my VF2 and breaking bits left and right. Currently im using these cheap eBay "so-called" carbide finish/rougher combo end mills im assuming I get what I pay for. Here are the specs:

3/8" thick 304 SS
1/2" em
.1875 DOC slotting (2 passes)
100 SFM
.0015 chip load
5 IPM
764 RPM

Id like to be able to move faster, an hour for 3 exhaust flanges isnt gonna cut it! I dont mind doing a roughing pass first then go over it with a finish em. Let me know what kind of recommendations you guys have for me.

Thanks for your time!
Jim

[tcampbell]

I use tialn coated endmills for stainless. I would rough out with a rougher and then finish it. You may be able to get away with just a regular endmill that is tialn coated. SS take time to cut.

[jorgehrr]

I went trough something like that when we change 303SS and went to
304SS couldn't drill two holes with out breaking drills.

I nice drill from kennametal with coolant trough did the job.
DFR0703RSSF075

Can drill @ 2000rpm F.008 (yeap couldn't believe it myself)
Try calling them, they will hook you up with the right end mill.

Cheers

Jorge

[big_mak]

Look at some HSSCo roughers from niagara. They should do the trick in one pass, then come back and clean it up with a Solid Carbide 4-5 flute with TialN coating!!!!

[JMFabrications]

Ive been using a lot of Nigara's end mills for aluminum and they work great. How well will cobalt roughers hold up in SS? Im all for roughing in one pass! Im using cobalt drills now and they seem to work well in SS.

[PBMW]

You are slotting...are you drilling an entry hole for the EM?
I machine LOTS of 304ss. 350sfm and .0035 per flute. I would do the slots full depth as you put more cutter on the material and don't wear out the corners.

[big_mak]

If you get the speeds and feeds dialed in, you'll be alright. I prefer the fine pitch roughers myself!!!

Good Luck!

[big_mak]

PBMW,

wut cutters r u using? SC I presume

[JMFabrications]

Originally Posted by PBMW You are slotting...are you drilling an entry hole for the EM? I machine LOTS of 304ss. 350sfm and .0035 per flute. I would do the slots full depth as you put more cutter on the material and don't wear out the corners.

Yes....im drilling a start hole for the em. Are you using carbide or cobalt for those speeds?

[PBMW]

Carbide. I get them through Carbide Connections. Three flute with a .03 corner rad. It's a DataFlute copy

[JMFabrications]

Originally Posted by PBMW Carbide. I get them through Carbide Connections. Three flute with a .03 corner rad. It's a DataFlute copy

So if my math is correct thats about 2674 RPM and 28 IPM....thats some aggressive machining!!!

Do you prefer 3 fl over 4 fl for SS?

Thanks for all the help!

[AMCTony]

Call Kennametal. Its gooooood.