Pair carbide inserts with a holder to create end mills that reduce waste and cost in high-volume jobs. When the cutting edges dull, replace the inserts instead of the entire tool. These end mills are also known as indexable shoulder mills. All are noncenter cutting for operations where the sides of the teeth do most of the work, such as shoulder milling, contouring, and finishing. They can’t be used for plunge cuts. They have a square cut style for creating square slots, pockets, flat surfaces, and edges.

When choosing an end mill holder, consider the type of finish you want. The finer the finish, the more inserts you’ll need. More inserts mean tighter spacing, so you can machine at high speeds and remove material quickly while leaving a smooth surface. However, you’ll also need more machine power. Fewer inserts mean a coarser finish—the inserts are spaced apart to help with chip evacuation. A coarse finish is best for roughing applications, light machining, and cutting soft metals such as aluminum.

For arbor mount holders, you’ll need four or more negative-rake inserts. Since the inserts have cutting edges on both sides, they last longer than positive-rake inserts. When all the edges on one side are dull, flip the insert over. These holders have a hole that passes coolant from your machine onto the workpiece, minimizing heat.

Create your own versatile milling cutters. These kits include a cutter body, inserts, wrenches, and screws. Also known as indexable end mills, replaceable insert milling cutters remove metal at least two times faster than comparable high-speed steel milling cutters. When the cutting edges dull, replace the carbide inserts instead of the entire tool. The inserts come factory sealed from the manufacturer for maximum traceability.

Use with an R8 shank arbor (sold separately).

Titanium-diboride (TiB2) coated inserts reduce friction in nonferrous metals and composites, so you can use them without lubrication in material like aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic. Titanium-aluminum-nitride (TiAlN) coated inserts dissipate heat better than other inserts, especially at high speeds. At high temperatures, the coating creates a layer of aluminum oxide that transfers heat to the chips, keeping the inserts cool, even when used without lubrication.

Kits come with either octagon or square inserts. Use octagon inserts for general face milling. With eight cutting edges, they generate smooth cuts. Use square inserts to create a 90° corner when shoulder milling.