// Docs
Tools and feeds
Tool types
| Type | Used for |
|---|---|
| Flat end mill | Profiles, pockets, adaptive, rest, bores, facing. Diameter and flutes; "center cutting" if it can plunge straight down. |
| Ball end mill | Rounded floors and fillets (3D-style finishes on 2.5D shapes). |
| Drill | Holes the size of the drill. Point angle (118° is common) sets the tip length for through holes. |
| Chamfer mill | Chamfers and countersinks. Angle and tip diameter. |
| V-bit | V-carving, engraving, countersinks. Angle (60°, 90°…) and tip diameter. |
| Thread mill | Thread milling (single profile). |
| Tap | Tapping on controllers with synchronised tapping (LinuxCNC). |
Tool settings
- Number — the T number written in the G-code; it must match the tool's place in your machine.
- Diameter, flutes, and for pointed tools the point angle and tip diameter.
- Feed, plunge, spindle — cutting feed, plunge feed and RPM.
- Depth per pass and stepover — this tool's defaults: a new operation, or changing an operation to this tool, takes them.
- Keep this tool for every project — puts it in your library.
Feed from the chip load
A tool maker gives a chip load: how thick a chip each cutting edge should take, for a material and a tool size. The feed follows from it:
feed = spindle RPM × flutes × chip loadExample: a 6 mm two-flute end mill at 18,000 RPM, with a chip load of 0.05 mm per tooth: 18,000 × 2 × 0.05 = 1,800 mm/min. In inches: 1/4" two-flute at 18,000 RPM and 0.002" per tooth gives 72 in/min.
In the tool editor, // Feed from chip load does this sum and Use this feed applies it. Too small a chip rubs and burns; too large breaks tools. Start from the tool maker's figure for your material, lower when in doubt.
Starting values
The tools MillPath starts with are examples with starting values, not data for your material. Replace them with your own tools and your tool maker's figures. See also Safety.
Library and presets
Library keeps your tools for every new project. A preset saves an operation's settings together with its tool (Save as preset in an operation) to reuse on other jobs.