Processing blanks by the milling method allows you to create parts of various configurations that are widely used in carpentry. Thanks to a certain technique and a special tool, the masters obtain ideal edges, grooves and recesses of various shapes and depths. A high-quality milling cutter guarantees a high result of wood processing in the event that a cutting element designed for a specific character of work is correctly selected for it. To better understand this issue, we prepared a special review in which we consider the types of milling cutters and deal with their design features.
Shank
Going to purchase a replaceable cutting element to the milling installation, you need to figure out how to attach it to the seat. The diameter of the shank can be measured in millimeters or inches, due to the type of collets that secure the part. The most common parameters, when it comes to millimeters, are 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm and 12 mm. For inches, two options are characteristic - a quarter and half an inch.It is important to remember that translating the given inches into SI units, we get a difference of a few tenths of a mm, however, even such a slight deviation will not allow the tool to be used for its intended purpose, since its fixation in a collet of a different type will not be reliable. The rotational speed of the shaft of the milling installation reaches 25,000 rpm, and even the slightest mismatch in the sizes of individual elements with a high degree of probability will lead to damage to the tool, and in the worst case can lead to injury, so it’s better not to risk it. Milling cutters for machine tools with elongated shanks are also on the market.
Varieties
The following types of elements are produced for manual milling machines:
- Prefabricated, consisting of a metal disc with soldered teeth. Such details are most widely used due to the simplicity of the device and affordable price.
- With interchangeable blades, including double-sided cutter knives in their design, which allows the blade to be rearranged on the other side when it is dull.
- Monolithic, each pointed edge of which is integral with the disc. They are distinguished by reliable operation, however, after a certain number of sharpenings, they require replacement.
Cutters for woodwork, among other things, differ in the location of the blade (vertical, inclined or spiral). The vertical edge cuts the workpiece at the point of contact, and the inclined one cuts it off, so that the wood is protected from chips. As for the material of manufacture and the main technical characteristics of the blade, they can be quick cutting (HM) and carbide (HSS). The first type of carpentry tool is designed to work with soft wood or aluminum, and in the second case we are dealing with more expensive fixtures, with which hard materials are processed, which is ensured by certain strength features, including temperature coefficient. Depending on the nature of the milling to be performed (the place and shape of the notch in the workpiece are taken into account), the craftsmen use the type of milling cutter suitable for this purpose.
Grooving
Grooving milling tool allows you to create a groove of the required depth and width along the edge or in the center of the workpiece. Such devices in most cases are used in the formation of a common thorn groove joint. According to their configuration, finger mills are:
- Straight, cylindrical. A rectangular groove is left in the wooden part. The most effective operation of such elements is achieved when they are installed on submersible equipment, although it can be installed on other milling machines.
- Fillet "U" -shaped, with a rounded cutting head. With the help of these devices make "U" -shaped notches.
- Fillet "V" -shaped, giving in the section a groove of "V" -form. If during the work there is a need to create grooves with different angle of inclination of the walls, the master will need a set of tools of the corresponding functional purpose.
- Structural, which includes "T" -shaped models and fixtures, known as the "dovetail". The groove made by this cutter has the shape of an inverted letter "T". Such connections are rightfully considered the most reliable, since in this case the two parts slide into each other and it is not possible to separate them in any other way.
- Shaped, which, like the fillet, allow you to perform curly insert and edge formation. When viewed in section, such grooves resemble curly braces. In this case, it is possible to mill the groove in the center or along the edge of the part.
Edge
The edge (end) mill is equipped with a bearing. Such a structural element significantly expands the functionality of the tool and makes it possible to cut the end parts and edges of wooden parts both according to the settings of the support table and according to the template. As well as grooving, edge types of milling cutters, depending on their type, form the ends of the workpiece of various configurations. The following subtypes of edge milling cutters are described with a description of their technical characteristics:
- Straight lines, specially designed for forming flat ends of a workpiece perpendicular to the upper part of a wooden part. If the milling cutter is equipped with an adjustable bearing, the carpenter will be able to process the edge of a rounded configuration in several variations.
- Folded, with which it is possible to choose a rectangular groove on the details of a curved or flat shape. The cutting depth in this case is adjusted when changing the position of the milling machine or due to the thrust bearing.
- Tapered used to process parts before joining them. The conical milling tool is ideally suited for the formation of decorative chamfers or curly furniture parts, which, when connected to each other, form a round-shaped product.
- Fillet, create a groove on the ends of the workpiece with rounded walls. Two bearings prevent tool misalignment. The quality of the cut with the use of such a cutter is comparable to that achieved when working with groove galtelnymi samples, however, they provide a more comfortable process.
- Curly, also known as multidisciplinary, have a massive structure and are able to process a large area of wood. An edge milling cutter of this type is usually installed on machines with a minimum power of at least 1600 watts.
- Semi-rod, forming a semicircular protrusion at the edge. They got their name due to the fact that during double-sided processing, the workpiece takes the form of a rod.
- Spiral, in configuration resemble a spiral drill. The spiral carbide router cuts long edges perfectly and is also suitable for submersible milling. The tool is characterized by wear resistance and neutralization of shock load on the milling machine.
There are also combined milling cutters (groove + tenon) for the machine, with the help of which angular or end joints are formed for strong adhesion of wooden workpieces. Such a device allows you to create a groove and a spike in one pass, due to which the connected area of the boards increases.
Figure
With the help of figireny mills create panels, forming their curly edges. A tool equipped with a bearing allows you to process both curly and rectangular joinery parts. The figured apparatus may be:
- horizontal, intended for partial selection of infill;
- double-sided, allowing in one pass to form a decorative edge of the panel and a spike for connecting to the groove of the frame;
- vertical, specially created for the manufacture of skirting boards and platbands of various configurations. By analogy with the previous sample, after their application, a spike and a decorative edge are formed on the part.
The considered types of mills are produced by almost all companies that produce carpentry tools.
Popular brands
Among the brands that have won the trust of customers in the carpentry industry due to the optimal combination of price and quality, the following trademarks of milling cutters can be distinguished:
- Interskol. The product of this brand has excellent performance and high precision processing. Wear-resistant cutters are able to cope with hard and soft types of wood, and also allow you to perform many different operations for excavating grooves, edging and edging.
- Ankor. The tool is made of high quality materials and features a flawless cutting edge geometry. A wide range of mills compatible with Korvet machines (Corvette) allows you to cope with any carpentry tasks, including the formation of complex profiles.
- SMT. Italian manufacturers pay special attention to the material of manufacture of mills, preferring high-speed tool steel. This guarantees a perfectly flat edge of the workpiece, without chips and other defects. Below is a comparative table in which various types of milling cutters of these manufacturers are entered.
Manufacturer | Model | Sizes, mm | Shank Diameter, mm | Features | price, rub. |
Interskol | 2009 010 | 8×51 | 8 | Groove | 200 |
Interskol | 2009 056 | 24×6 | 8 | Edge | 241 |
Ankor | 46016 | 16×51 | 12 | Groove | 253 |
Ankor | 9260 | 33,3×13 | 8 | Edge | 890 |
SMT | 822.316.11 | 68×13 | 8 | Groove | 1019 |