PSA: That $35 pack of cheap end mills from Amazon cost me a job

Bought a 10-pack of 1/4 inch carbide end mills for $35 to save money. First piece wrecked on some 6061 aluminum and left a bad finish that the customer rejected. Has anyone else had luck with budget tooling on production work?

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarb7122d agoMost Upvoted

Blame the tool not the price point. I've run those cheap Amazon end mills through hundreds of parts in 6061 with good results if you take lighter passes and keep speeds up. Sounds like you got a dud or pushed it too hard on that first cut.

burns.fiona22d ago

Yeah I feel your pain. @oscarb71 makes a fair point though, sometimes it's the cut settings.