Single Flute Cutters - Alternative?

[danirose (Dani)]

Morning!

Before I order more of the single flute cutters from the US - Has anyone sourced any decent ones from the UK/EU? Looking for a good brand that I can get more locally! I cut a lot of metals so they need to be decent.

Cheers

[LiamN (Liam Newcombe)]

There’s some suppliers in this post

Shapeoko 5 Pro - ordered many weeks ago, but company getting no response from Carbide 3D?

I don’t think I got anything other than the machine from them, but I did later buy some other parts. I started out with an AMB Kress spindle which came with it’s own collet system, if you’re using a trim router then it’s definitely worth getting collets in other sizes such as 1/8" instead of using the somewhat iffy reducer collars. As for cutters in the UK, I mostly buy from one of these suppliers Rennie Tool Small UK business, good prices, I buy drill bits here too APT End mills, taps, l…

APT does some very sensibly priced DLC coated single flute tools for Aluminium which I’ve had plenty of success on 60XX T6 aluminium, they also have other coatings for ferrous metals.

1 Flute Carbide End Mills for Aluminium DLC Coated Associated Production Tools

Cutwel has a broader range of ‘name’ tools but are more expensive as their cutters are from more expensive brands.

HTH

[danirose (Dani)]

That’s perfect - thank you!

I did see APT but they looked so cheap that I wasn’t sure if they’d be any good. Good to know you’ve had some success with their stuff!

[LiamN (Liam Newcombe)]

Yep, I wondered the same but I’ve had pretty good results from their single flute DLC and a few other cutters, nothing wrong with them.

I don’t know if the floor finish would be cleaner with an expensive Amana or Lakeshore Carbide cutter, but honestly, toolpaths and coolant / lubricant and chip evacuation are probably the first target before I gripe about the cutter over finish.

[flynnjs (Jason)]

I have used both APT and Rennie. I am guessing these are “import grade” cutters but both have had good tolerances and results on alu compared with some of the rubbish I have had from “that well known south american river”.