HSS Face Mill

Hello all,

I'd done some experimentation recently with fly cutting a brake disc, but couldn't get either a particularly satisfactory finish or metal removal rate.

I'd like to get a face cutter, I have an R8 WM18 clone mill, I don't think I want to go to the expense of an inserted cutter and arbor. Has anyone any experience of the HSS face cutters, that have 4 vertical pieces of HSS blank clamped into them? are they any good?

I don't need production removal rates, but more than a fly cutter and better finish on material like cast iron.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Francis,

One problem with multi tool face cutters is getting all the tools at the same protrusion so that they all cut.

You might also consider a fly cutter with the tool mounted tangentially. My experience is that this arrangement gives better surface finish and faster removal rates than conventional flycutters. More information on my cutter can be found here:

**LINK**

Mike

Mike, thanks for the response and the great link.

I had heard about the issue with getting all the cutters working, most sensible suggestion I'd seen was a chap who used a piece of glass on the table of his mill to level them.

Like your cutter, I might have to look at making one. I can think of situatons where I'd like to face up close to a vertical step, do you think the cutter would be as effective if the horizontal angle of the cutter was changed to the other way round, so the tool steel is toed out rather than in?

Hi Francis,

I am not quite sure what you are suggesting with regards to the flycutter but as long as the angular relationships of the cutter are preserved (ie. the tool points down at an angle of about 12 degress and is at 12 degrees to the tangent of the cutting circle) then it shoulf work OK.

Mike