Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4.1. A standard slot drill normally has two flutes. Three-flute slot drills, normally
called supermills, are available and are ideal for the fast removal of aluminium. This
is a standard slot drill cutting a small chamfer on a component.
Slot drills are also available with three flutes, and these again are usually
centre cutting. The three-flute slot drills are used in a similar way to two-flute
slot drills and are often designed to remove soft metals like aluminium at a
very fast rate.
End mills
End mills are similar to slot drills but usually have four flutes, although six,
eight and even more flutes are available on some larger cutters. The end mill
normally has a centre in each end which is used to manufacture the cutter
and to resharpen it. This means the end of the cutter is hollow and so it can-
not be used as a centre cutting cutter. However, centre cutting end mills are
now available and can be used like a slot drill.
However, you can mill on both the sides and the end of an end mill even
though you may not be able plunge a hole with it. End mills are available in
