Had to pick between a solid carbide end mill and a coated one for a stainless job last week

I was running 304 stainless on a 5-axis and couldn't decide between a cheap solid carbide and a pricey TiAlN coated one from the drawer. Went with the coated one at $45 a pop and got 3 full parts before it started squealing, but the solid carbide ones usually blow out after 1 part for me. Anyone else find the coated tools worth the extra cash for tough materials?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly.daniel1mo ago

Yeah the "3 parts before it starts squealing" thing hits close to home. I bought the fancy coated ones once thinking I was gonna be a hero in the shop, got 2 parts and then chipped the tip on a tight corner like an idiot.

phoenix_singh1mo ago

Hold up, did anyone else stop to think maybe the coating itself is the problem? I mean yeah we're all blaming ourselves for being clumsy, but what if those fancy coatings make the tip too slick so it grabs weird on those tight corners? Because regular uncoated bits seem to bite in smoothly and then let go, but coated ones feel like they stick and then snap. Plus the coating might hide tiny defects in the metal that you'd normally spot. Just a thought, maybe the coating companies are laughing all the way to the bank while we blame ourselves.

terrywilson26d ago

Three coated bits and a broken ego before noon yesterday.