Manufacturers use milling cutters in various types of milling machines to perform machining operations like slotting, shoulder milling, profiling, ramping, and plunging. Each type of milling cutter meets specific needs based on factors such as the material being machined, the required operation, and the complexity of the part.
This guide will explore the different types of milling cutters available and highlight why, where, and for what applications they are best suited.
Square end mills are essential cutting tools in milling applications, prized for their precision and versatility. Featuring flat end geometry with sharp corners, these tools are perfect for creating square or rectangular slots and pockets. Their design ensures accurate operations that require precise 90-degree corners, making them a top choice for these types of applications.
Designed for super-fine finishing applications in a wide range of components and materials, our unique geometry is the precise recipe to ensure highly accurate machining of any surface requiring a superb finish.
Ideal for profile milling in steels, hardened steels and exotics, Demon’s higher speeds and feeds rates deliver increased productivity and high material removal rates.
Our Delta is a versatile three-flute tool expertly crafted to handle various materials. Its extended reach feature enhances its adaptability, making it well-suited for aggressive slotting, pocketing, and ramping tasks. This is thanks to its improved chip clearance and minimised vibrations.
Introducing Quantum, the revolutionary high-performance cutting (HPC) solid carbide end mill engineered to meet manufacturers’ demands. Whether used in traditional machining techniques or advanced methods like dynamic or trochoidal milling, Quantum is designed to excel. Quickgrind’s innovative coating technology significantly enhances material removal rates (MRR) and extends tool life.
The QVari is a high-performance carbide end mill featuring four flutes and a variable helix and index design. It’s versatile enough for roughing and finishing tasks, enabling companies to achieve more with just one tool. Whether using conventional or trochoidal machining strategies, the QVari is up to the task. The QVari-LR version is available for those long-reach applications.
QVari-5 End Mills are a 5-flute variable carbide end mill with XRed coating enabling high feed rates with reduced vibration for stable machining. It is suitable for steel, stainless steel, titanium, and superalloys.
Our Qvari-7 is a 7-flute end mill suited for trochoidal milling in stainless steel, titanium, and exotic alloys. It enables high feed rates and stability in many applications, along with excellent swarf management.
The new Mirage Super features the toughest substrate with a high wear resistant coating for even higher performance.
The Alligator range is crafted to machine non-ferrous materials, including aluminium alloys. Our standard offerings include 2-flute, 3-flute, ball nose, and 2-flute extended-reach versions. This design has been thoroughly tested, making it suitable for various applications, from aerospace and motorsport components to mould and die parts.
The Caiman has become the go-to tool for machining 6000 and 7000 series aluminium, especially grades like 6082 and 7075. Thanks to its ability to operate at high speeds and feed rates, its performance in roughing and finishing operations is unmatched. This end mill offers a superior material removal rate (MRR) and efficient swarf evacuation.
QAlu is a top-tier 3-flute solid carbide end mill engineered for HSM in aluminium. The design features three teeth centred for optimal balance and open gullets to improve ramping and plunging capabilities, enabling operations at higher feed rates. QAlu excels in roughing and finishing processes, while QAlu-R is designed for roughing applications.
The QPlus2 is a versatile solution for various machine shop tasks. It’s the ideal tool for performance, thanks to its MX coating that offers outstanding wear resistance. Designed for durability and efficiency, the QPlus2-LS (Long Series) features a 4-flute universal carbide end mill with MX coating, making it perfect for working with steels, cast irons, and some stainless steels.
Hypermills, once mainly used in the mould and die industry, are now a crucial tool for machinists and programmers across various fields. They excel at milling deep cavity profiles without requiring long-series tool holders. Our tapered neck design ensures enough reach and the proper taper to handle component reach issues efficiently.
Performance enhanced with high material removal rates.The 3 flute Alligator Trio designed for high productivity machining of aluminium and other non-ferrous materials.
Our ModX is a modular shank system featuring interchangeable heads of end mills and barrel tools. The heads are fully customisable with the Quickgrind “Infinite Possibilities” programme, meaning shank length, head length, diameter, coatings, and more can accommodate the customer’s requirements. The unique ModX coupling and thread result in a robust and accurate connection that enhances productivity while reducing costs.
The Fusion cutter, crafted from solid carbide, excels in machining a variety of materials such as CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymers), glass epoxy laminates, sandwich materials, engineered plastics, and wood. Its precision engineering addresses challenges like delamination, fibre pull-out, abrasion, and thermal distortion, ensuring superior performance and reliability in demanding applications.
Ball nose end mills are indispensable in machining operations that require precision and detail, especially for creating contoured surfaces and complex three-dimensional shapes. Their radiused tip allows for smooth cutting in multiple directions and is ideal for finishing operations requiring an intricate surface finish. Ball nose end mills enhance efficiency and improve the machined part’s surface quality by reducing vibrations and allowing for higher cutting speeds.
Our ModX is a modular shank system featuring interchangeable heads of end mills and barrel tools. The heads are fully customisable with the Quickgrind “Infinite Possibilities” programme, meaning shank length, head length, diameter, coatings, and more can accommodate the customer’s requirements. The unique ModX coupling and thread result in a robust and accurate connection that enhances productivity while reducing costs.
Our Ribcutter ball nose end mills, with various reaches available for each diameter, are engineered to tackle complex machining challenges requiring precision with small-diameter tools. Produced from solid carbide and featuring our proprietary CXPlus coating, these end mills deliver exceptional results, especially in machining aluminium, titanium, and stainless steel.
Our R&D specialists crafted the new Warrior 2-flute high-performance ball nose end mill. Thanks to its sub-micro grain solid carbide core and advanced XTF coating, it offers superior durability and precision when working with hardened tool steels and Inconel. Its impressive longevity and performance can enhance many machining projects.
Introducing the Samurai, your go-to tool when four flutes are required. Created from superior submicrograin solid carbide and featuring a multi-layer XTF coating, the Samurai excels in tackling even the most challenging components. Expect outstanding tool life and reliability in every demanding situation.
The Gladiator is a reliable and precise 2-flute ball nose end mill designed for high-speed cutting. It’s versatile and perfect for roughing, semi-finishing, finishing, and super-finishing tasks in profile, copy, or contour milling. Commonly used in mould and die work, general engineering, and on parts like turbine blades, its effectiveness shines through in various applications.
Our renowned Mirage end mill inspired the Zodiac, which elevates ball-nose end milling to new heights. Designed with four flutes, it ensures efficient swarf evacuation and supports high-speed machining with exceptional stability. Whether contour milling or profiling, this tool performs remarkably across a diverse range of materials.
Our Alligator ball nose end mills are ideal for non-ferrous materials like aluminium and its alloys. These tools excel in copy, contour, and profile milling, delivering efficient swarf removal and increased tool wear resistance. Users can choose between 2 or 3 flutes, with customisable overall length, flute length, and neck length to suit their needs.
The Rapier range is specifically designed for high-efficiency cutting in automotive modelling. Using clay milling machines with our Rapier tools, automotive modellers can significantly reduce the time needed to create a vehicle model. These tools allow for milling the clay closer to the final depth, making it ready for hand finishing. With a helix angle and flute geometries tailored for specific applications and various coatings available, the Rapier cutter emerges as the specialist for clay cutting needs in automotive modelling.
Modular Shank Systems are advanced tooling solutions used in CNC machining that allow for increased flexibility, precision, and efficiency in cutting operations. These systems consist of interchangeable shank components that enable machinists to quickly adapt tooling setups to different applications without needing to replace entire tool assemblies. By using modular shanks, manufacturers can optimize tool length, improve rigidity, and reduce vibration, leading to enhanced surface finishes and extended tool life. This adaptability is particularly beneficial in industries like aerospace and automotive, where high-performance cutting and cost efficiency are critical. Additionally, modular shank systems support various toolholding configurations, making them a versatile choice for modern machining environments.
Our ModX is a modular shank system featuring interchangeable heads of end mills and barrel tools. The heads are fully customisable with the Quickgrind “Infinite Possibilities” programme, meaning shank length, head length, diameter, coatings, and more can accommodate the customer’s requirements. The unique ModX coupling and thread result in a robust and accurate connection that enhances productivity while reducing costs.
A tapered end mill is a unique milling tool featuring a cutting edge that gradually narrows towards the tip. This design makes it ideal for cutting surfaces with a tapered shape. Unlike traditional end mills with straight edges, the tapered end mill narrows at the tip and widens as it moves up to the shank, allowing for more precise and efficient machining of various surfaces.
Our Turbomills are expertly crafted to tackle tough materials and excel in high-feed operations. With enhanced lateral stability, these tools outperform traditional taper designs in three-dimensional milling. Their precise taper and tip size help reduce deflection, ensuring smooth and efficient cuts. Elevate your machining capabilities with Turbomills and experience a new level of precision.
Typhoon taper tools are among our top-selling products, trusted by clients globally. They’re specially designed for machining flat tapered walls, delivering superior and consistent finishes without the unsightly witness marks often left by other end mills. These tools come in two main types: ball nose and square end.
Corner radius tools are cutting tools designed with a rounded edge rather than a sharp corner, providing enhanced strength, durability, and surface finish in machining applications. These tools, commonly used in milling and turning, help reduce stress concentrations, minimise chipping, and extend tool life by distributing cutting forces more evenly. Corner radius end mills, for example, are particularly effective in high-speed machining and when working with hard materials, as they improve heat dissipation and wear resistance. They are widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and mold-making, where precision and surface integrity are crucial. By selecting the appropriate corner radius size, manufacturers can optimize tool performance, reduce tool changes, and achieve better overall efficiency in their machining processes.
Our ModX is a modular shank system featuring interchangeable heads of end mills and barrel tools. The heads are fully customisable with the Quickgrind “Infinite Possibilities” programme, meaning shank length, head length, diameter, coatings, and more can accommodate the customer’s requirements. The unique ModX coupling and thread result in a robust and accurate connection that enhances productivity while reducing costs.
The QVari is a high-performance carbide end mill featuring four flutes and a variable helix and index design. It is versatile enough for roughing and finishing tasks. QVari-CR (Corner Radius) can be used in conventional and trochoidal machining strategies. At the same time, the variable corner radius sizes make it favoured in applications where a corner radius is required.
The QVari-5 is a high-performance solid carbide end mill with five variable flutes. It is designed for stable machining and allows for high feed rates while minimising vibration. For those seeking versatility, consider our QVari-5CR model, which features optional corner radii for enhanced cutting capabilities.
The QAlu-CR is a top-tier, solid carbide end mill designed with three flutes and corner radii. It is perfect for machining aluminium and non-ferrous materials. Its unique geometry and advanced TX-R coating extend tool life while delivering outstanding
Threadmills are precision cutting tools used in CNC machining to create internal and external threads with high accuracy and versatility. Unlike traditional taps and dies, threadmills cut threads by interpolating a helical path, allowing for greater control over thread dimensions and finish. This method reduces cutting forces, minimizes tool breakage, and enables the machining of hard materials or thin-walled components with less risk of damage. Threadmills are particularly advantageous for producing threads in a variety of sizes with a single tool, making them cost-effective for low-volume and high-precision applications. Commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries, threadmills offer superior flexibility and efficiency, especially when dealing with difficult-to-machine materials or requiring non-standard thread sizes.
Our ModX is a modular shank system featuring interchangeable heads of end mills and barrel tools. The heads are fully customisable with the Quickgrind “Infinite Possibilities” programme, meaning shank length, head length, diameter, coatings, and more can accommodate the customer’s requirements. The unique ModX coupling and thread result in a robust and accurate connection that enhances productivity while reducing costs.
Creating a bore, thread, and chamfer with one tool saves money and reduces cycle time. The highly efficient Pathfinder threadmill does just that by drilling, chamfering, and threading in one operation with one fantastic tool. Having this one tool to do the work of three frees up tool station space and counters any possible alignment issues.
A Chamfer Mill is a versatile cutting tool used in CNC machining to create beveled edges, countersinks, and deburring on machined parts. It features an angled cutting edge, typically 45° or 60°, allowing for precise chamfering, edge breaking, and engraving applications. Chamfer mills are essential for improving part aesthetics, ensuring smooth assembly, and eliminating sharp edges that could cause safety issues. They are commonly used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and mold making, where precision and surface quality are critical. Additionally, chamfer mills can be used for spot drilling and V-grooving, making them a multifunctional tool that enhances efficiency in machining operations.
Our ModX is a modular shank system featuring interchangeable heads of end mills and barrel tools. The heads are fully customisable with the Quickgrind “Infinite Possibilities” programme, meaning shank length, head length, diameter, coatings, and more can accommodate the customer’s requirements. The unique ModX coupling and thread result in a robust and accurate connection that enhances productivity while reducing costs.
The versatile QChamfer is appropriate for machining operations, including chamfering, bevelling, deburring, spotting, and countersinking. Many shops use it to deburr parts while still on the machine to eliminate manual deburring. Our standard QChamfer has a 90° inclusive point angle and comes with our CXPlus coating.
Undercut tools are specialised cutting tools designed to machine recessed areas that standard tools cannot reach, such as grooves, reliefs, or back cuts in a workpiece. These tools are essential in CNC machining for creating features like O-ring grooves, keyways, or dovetails, which are commonly found in aerospace, automotive, and medical components. Undercut tools come in various designs, including T-slot cutters, lollipop cutters, and dovetail cutters, each suited for different undercut geometries. Their ability to machine hard-to-reach areas with precision helps improve part functionality and assembly fit while reducing the need for complex multi-axis machining setups. By using the right undercut tool, manufacturers can enhance efficiency and accuracy in intricate machining applications.
Our Undercut tools are specialized cutting tools designed to machine recessed areas that standard tools cannot reach, such as grooves, reliefs, or back cuts in a workpiece. These tools are essential in CNC machining for creating features like O-ring grooves, keyways, or dovetails, which are commonly found in aerospace, automotive, and medical components. Undercut tools come in various designs, including T-slot cutters, lollipop cutters, and dovetail cutters, each suited for different undercut geometries. Their ability to machine hard-to-reach areas with precision helps improve part functionality and assembly fit while reducing the need for complex multi-axis machining setups. By using the right undercut tool, manufacturers can enhance efficiency and accuracy in intricate machining applications., also known as recess tools or clip cutters, are engineered to create intricate features beneath overhangs precisely. Our expertly crafted tools offer uniquely designed flutes, optimised flute geometry, and specialised coatings when necessary, ensuring you achieve the most cost-effective component production without compromising quality.
Complex Form Tools are specialised cutting tools designed to produce intricate profiles and multi-featured geometries in a single pass, significantly improving machining efficiency and precision. These tools are custom-engineered to match the exact contour of a workpiece, reducing the need for multiple tool changes and secondary operations. Commonly used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical manufacturing, complex form tools are ideal for high-precision applications like turbine blades, medical implants, and intricate mold components. They can be designed as end mills, inserts, or lathe tools, incorporating features such as chamfers, radii, and grooves in one tool. By optimizing cycle times and ensuring consistency, complex form tools help manufacturers achieve high-quality parts while reducing production costs and machine downtime.
Our Orbis high-tech lollipop cutters are versatile tools for various materials and applications. Users can choose from options with 2 to 8 flutes and different diameters, reaches, and overall lengths. These cutters excel in 5-axis milling and machining complex contour shapes, offering exceptional performance for finishing irregular and uneven surfaces.
Dovetails are versatile tools used across various applications. They are easily customisable with specific taper angles and top and bottom diameters to meet your operational needs. They are most commonly employed to create dovetail O-ring grooves in fluid and pressure components and in machining industrial slides.
Port (porting and cavity) tools are essential for quickly creating complex multi-diameter forms. After the bores are pre-drilled on CNC machines, the port tool follows by cutting precise, detailed, accurate bores with dimensionally correct features. The primary uses for these time-saving tools are hydraulic ports and actuators.
Routing Cutters are high-performance cutting tools used in CNC routers and milling machines for shaping, cutting, and engraving various materials, including wood, plastic, composites, and soft metals. These cutters come in a variety of designs, such as straight, spiral, and ball-nose, each suited for different cutting applications. Spiral-fluted routing cutters, for example, provide smooth finishes and efficient chip evacuation, while compression cutters minimise tear-out on laminated materials. Widely used in woodworking, aerospace, and signage industries, routing cutters allow for precise contouring, slotting, and engraving. Their durability and ability to handle high-speed cutting make them essential for achieving clean, accurate cuts in both industrial and artistic applications.
Fusion are designed for quickly removing material from extruded aluminium and other soft, non-ferrous metals. They provide a long tool life and precise, fine finishes, making them ideal for your needs. Choose from styles tailored to different applications, including single—or two-flute options and stub, medium, and long-length series. Additionally, we offer downward spiral compression routers, which prevent lifting when machining single or stacked sheets.
Reamer Tools are precision cutting tools used to enlarge and finish pre-drilled or pre-machined holes to achieve tight tolerances and superior surface finishes. Unlike drills, which create holes, reamers are designed to remove a small amount of material, ensuring high accuracy in diameter and roundness. They come in various types, including straight-flute, spiral-flute, and adjustable reamers, each suited for different materials and machining conditions. Reamers are widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical manufacturing, where precision hole-making is critical for component assembly and performance. By providing consistent hole dimensions and minimizing tool deflection, reamers help improve the quality and functionality of machined parts, reducing the need for secondary finishing operations.
Our precision reamers enlarge the size of a previously drilled hole by a small amount but with a high degree of accuracy to leave smooth sides. We produce reamers with straight or spiral flutes and step reamers to follow our step drills, all with the dimensions and flute configuration for your specific application.
The precision-engineered design of our high-feed ranges significantly boosts chip removal efficiency, achieving remarkable cycle time reductions. By employing a shallow depth of cut, we ensure minimal chip thickness, effectively preventing vibration and tool deflection. Coupled with increased feed rates, this strategy can cut cycle times by as much as 60%.
Our high-feed Spectre end mill was initially developed with three flutes to machine deep pockets. Because of its success, the cutter is now produced with five flutes. The tool’s large radius enables excellent stability when roughing at high feed rates. The combination of our unique geometry, small depth of cut, and high feed means clients realise an outstanding return on investment.
The Phantom is a 4-flute solid carbide end mill that can be remanufactured multiple times, delivering exceptional durability. Offering 5-6 times the tool life of standard end mills, it has quickly become a favourite in the motorsport and aerospace industries. Specifically engineered for roughing operations, it excels when machining difficult materials like titanium and stainless steel.
Our Reaper is a cutting-edge tool designed to machine hardened steels quickly and efficiently. This 4-flute end mill excels at creating pockets and cavities with ease. Its unique end design allows it to operate at high speeds, making shallow cuts effectively. The rounded corners help ensure smooth chip removal, promoting rapid work and extended tool life.
Our Reaper is a cutting-edge tool designed to machine hardened steels quickly and efficiently. This 4-flute end mill excels at creating pockets and cavities with ease. Its unique end design allows it to operate at high speeds, making shallow cuts effectively. The rounded corners help ensure smooth chip removal, promoting rapid work and extended tool life.
Longer reach for improved access.Available in sizes from 6.00 to 12.00mm with long reach this tool performs extremely well in hardened steels such as H13 and D2 ≥45Hrc.
The ultimate in flexibility and performance
Combining the performance and durability of solid carbide with the modularity of inserts the new ModX® range from Quickgrind gives you the best of both worlds, but without the compromise of either.
ModX® gives you a huge amount of modularity and flexibility, but what if you could go even further?
The Bulldog is the ultimate tool for moulding and die-making, offering various sizes, diameters, radii, and lengths to suit your needs. This cutting-edge tool is engineered to deliver outstanding results by boosting productivity and slashing production costs. Explicitly designed to minimise vibration during heavy cutting and high-volume metal removal, Bulldog excels in challenging operations like deep pocketing and slotting in tough-to-machine materials.
Thread milling is a machining process for cutting a helical path on the surface of a workpiece to create threads. Unlike tapping or die-cutting, thread milling offers greater flexibility, precision, and a high-security process in high-value parts.
Barrel Tools, also known as barrel-shaped end mills, are advanced cutting tools designed for high-efficiency machining, particularly in 5-axis CNC operations. Their unique geometry, featuring a large cutting radius, allows for greater surface contact with the workpiece, enabling smooth, precise finishing with fewer passes. This design reduces machining time while maintaining high surface quality, making barrel tools ideal for applications in aerospace, mould-making, and medical industries. They are especially useful for machining complex 3D surfaces, such as turbine blades and orthopedic implants, where precision and efficiency are critical.
Our ModX is a modular shank system featuring interchangeable heads of end mills and barrel tools. The heads are fully customisable with the Quickgrind “Infinite Possibilities” programme, meaning shank length, head length, diameter, coatings, and more can accommodate the customer’s requirements. The unique ModX coupling and thread result in a robust and accurate connection that enhances productivity while reducing costs.
Eliminator’s innovative barrel tools are transforming the machining process by utilising the arc segment of a circle to create the flute radius. These tools enhance step-down methods beyond what ballnose endmills can achieve, revolutionising finishing and semi-finishing for industries ranging from motor racing to aerospace and medical. By adopting these tools, companies can significantly cut costs—up to 25% per part—and free up valuable machine time, optimising efficiency across operations.
en
