Guest Blog by Mark Donze at Fullerton Tool 

First, let's discuss general purpose end mills. General Purpose (GP) End Mills are standard single, 2, 3, or 4 flute geometry end mills made for use in a wide variety of materials.

​Benefits of General Purpose End Mills:

• Lower prices
• Very versatile - they work in a variety of materials and applications
• Typically easier to resharpen - general-purpose end mills can usually be resharpened by the user or by a local regrind shop, whereas a high-performance end mill typically will need to be sent back to the OEM for resharpening

Next, High-Performance (HP) End Mills contain specialized geometries for a specific material being cut.

Benefits of High-Performance End Mills:

• Material and/or application-specific - This does not mean that an HP cutter will not work in more than the listed materials or applications. For example, our Fury end mill is recommended for a wide range of materials and applications and will cut almost anything and any tool path. So don't be afraid to experiment.
• Better tool life, especially in difficult-to-machine Materials - HP cutters typically require less frequent tool changes and fewer offsets.
• More adapted to high-speed machining or other advanced milling techniques.
• Better surface finishes on your parts.
• Usually have premium coatings that target a specific range of materials.
• Typically have edge preps like hones or polishes that target a specific range of materials

With this information in mind, if you are a company that does small runs in a wide variety of materials you may prefer GP end mills. Whereas, if you are making high-volume parts where cycle-time and up-time are king, you may prefer an HP end mill for your use. Remember, there are no hard lines drawn. Each application is different and preference is ultimately up to you, the end-user. 

If you aren't sure, you can contact your Fullerton authorized distributor to help make this decision. We will work with you to get the end results you desire with a wide variety of both GP and HP end mills available.

We even have some tooling where we apply HP coatings to GP tools to help you get the most out of your cutting tool investments. We have a huge selection of inventory items and of course, if you need a special tailored tool to your specific needs, we have engineering and application knowledge to get the most out of your cutting tool budget.

We also have resources on our website to help you navigate which tool is the best for your needs. Discover what end mills are recommended for your material and application by using the Fullerton Tool End Mill Selection Guide 

You can also explore and search for tooling by material, application, or tool specs as well as 
 recommended speeds and feeds by series which you can access at the search button below.

"Ergo" is a new trademark of Nine9 for ER type indexable cutter. The cutter is assembly kit by the 3 parts including Ergo nut, high strength Ergo pin and Integrated ER taper. Patented design mechanism to produce high clamping Forces and high runout accurancy.

It's perfectly suitable for driven tools and spindles with ER interface of CNC turning centers and swiss type automatic lathes such as Star, Citizen, Tsugami, Doosan, Tornos, INDEX, EMAG and so on.

​The Ergo provides types ER11, ER16, ER20, ER25 taper-shank cutter. The ergo tooling include milling cutter, spot drill, chamfering tool, corner rounding, engraving tool, deburring tool, center drill and boring tool.

by Steven Oszust Jr. at ​Fullerton Tool

This month we will focus on one of our most successful legacy tools, the Fullerton Tool's 3400 Harmon-i-Cut end mill. Nearly two decades ago, we recognized the advancements in machining technology demanded increasingly aggressive machining operations to enhance productivity and reduce production costs.

Advancements in spindle technology enabled greater spindle speeds while maintaining the necessary power to perform more aggressive cutting operations. With the greater acceptance and application of high-speed machining (HSM) practices in programming, spindle speeds were increased to a range which was greater than those traditionally used for an increase in material removal rates (MRR) over traditional tools.

High-speed machining is achieved by increased axial depth of cut and higher spindle speeds, combined with constant chip loads requiring new high-performance tooling design.

One limitation in achievable MRR is self-excited vibrations of the cutting tools, known as chatter. Chatter is caused by variations in the inconsistent chip thickness caused when the vibration of the tooth currently engaged in the cut is out of phase with the vibration of the previous tooth.

Specifically engineered geometries greatly reduce chatter leading to smoother running, faster feed rates. These tools are ideal for all roughing and finishing operations, offering longer tool life and improved surface finishes.

Harmon-i-cut end mills have engineered flute shape designed for maximum rigidity, variable helix, variable rake, superb chip evacuation, and excellent shearing action. Reduced load pressures and super stiff design promotes less chatter, achieving rapid Harmonic-free stock removal at rates never seen before.

By utilizing chip thinning strategies, significant increases in productivity and tool life can be achieved. These methods are also helpful when using machines with less power and stability. Even with weaker machines and less stable working conditions, very high cutting parameters can be achieved.

These strategies are particularly effective for increasing process reliability in difficult to machine materials or challenging applications.

Consider Fullerton Tool's  3400 series Harmon-i-cut a cut above the rest. With our vast inventory of sizes and configurations, we can provide a solution for your needs. Contact Browne Sales to get started

 by Steven Oszust Jr. Product Development Manager/Lead Tool Design Engineer at Fullerton Tool Co.

At Fullerton Tool ,Our primary purpose is to provide our customers with cost-effective, high-quality, solid carbide round tool solutions at competitive prices. In the past we have discussed our consistency in our processes, and foundational approach to tool designs.

These traits can best be described as the basis for Functional Value.

In the case of our general purpose end mills, functional value involves all the core processes and systems that customers are not paying for. These processes and systems are deeply engrained in our culture.

Often development for the higher end, performance side of our offering, these systems naturally trickle down to the general purpose tools automatically in our tool strategy.

The benefits of this tool strategy can be seen in everything we do. The nearly 150 years combined experience in our production engineering team, makes Fullerton one of the most detail oriented companies in the industry. Our innovative manufacturing processes and years of experience ensure the best possible value for cost conscious metalworking consumers. 

Consider our General Purpose End Mills a cut above the rest. With our vast inventory of sizes, configurations, and coatings we can provide a solution for your needs.

Start your search for the perfect General Purpose End Mill on the Fullerton Tool Website or contact your dedicated regional managers at Browne Sales for application recommendations. 

Fullerton Tool's high performance 3400 Harmon-i-Cut end mill excels in difficult to machine ferrous materials like cast iron. It features a variable helix, variable index, and variable rake which maximizes tool life and removal rates by minimizing the effects of harmonics. The 3400 Harmon-i-Cut end mill allows the capacity to rough and finish with one tool and is stocked with FC-18 coating.
3400 Harmon-i-Cut High Performance End Mill Includes:

• Available in Ball, Corner Radius & Square End Types
• 4 Flutes
• FC-18 Coating
• Available in Stub, Standard, Extra Long, and Long Reach Lengths
• Center Cutting
• h6 Shank Tolerance 

Fullerton Tool Company now supplies, stocks, and supports InovaTools' products!

Their strategic partnership with InovaTools allows Fullterton to expand thier product offering by selling, stocking, and supporting Inovatools' coolant fed, deep hole drills, micro drills, modular tools, diamond coated end mills, and die & mold end mills.

Fullerton is Now Offering InovaTools:

• Coolant Fed Drills
• Deep Hole Drills
• Micro Drills
• Modular Tools
• Diamond Coated End Mills
• Die and Mold End Mills

Download our InovaTools Catalog for a full offering of available products sold by Fullerton or download the Tooling Portfolio for an overview of available InovaTools products

Did you know that you can quote custom end mills instantly with Fullerton Tool's new and improved FAST Quotes - Specials system? It's true - you can generate pricing and lead times for your custom end mill in a matter of minutes. 

New & Improved FAST Quotes - Specials Includes:

• Pricing for Expedited & Standard Production Times
• Notifications when Tooling Specs Match a Preexisting Standard EDP
• Pre-Population of Tool Features (like coating) by Series
• Expanded Series Offering (now includes 3116-TiMill, 3600-Force, and 3845-Falcon Finisher)
• Addition of Chipbreakers
• Improved User Experience

Interested in creating your first quote? Our FAST Quotes system can only be accessed by registered users. To get started, create your account via the button below

Have questions? Contact our Customer Service by email: sales@fullertontool.com, by phone: 800.248.8315, or by Live Chat at the bottom right corner of our website

Have you checked out Fullerton Tool's 3500 Fury end mill? If not, you definitely should because it performs exceptionally in high-speed machining and full diameter milling, as well as dominates in stainless steels, super alloys, and titanium.

Its tool versatility results in higher productivity, less tool changes, and longer tool life.

Fullerton's Fury works well in both roughing and finishing applications and produces excellent surface finishes, while its FC-20 coating significantly reduces operating cutting temperatures.

We have included a case study on how our 3500 Fury end mill generated a 78% reduction in time per part for our customer, while also reducing the cost per part by 86%, and generating over $20,500 in cost savings. 

You can find out more about our Fury case study by clicking the Learn More button below 

Fullerton Tool end mills are now available with the HAIMER Safe-Lock® System to help improve your productivity and profits.  The unique Safe-Lock design in cutting tools and tool holders combines high precision shrink fit clamping with a positive form locking mechanism.  This prevents round cutting tools from being rotated or completely pulled out from tool holders during heavy machining.

On the safe side with Safe-Lock™:

• For High Performance Cutting (HPC) and for trochoidal (dynamic) milling
• Highly accurate clamping thanks to shrink fit or collet chuck technology
• High torque due to form closed clamping
• No loss or accuracy
• No pull out of the tool
• No spinning of the tool
• No damage of the work piece or machine

Have questions?  Contact Fullerton Tool by email sales@fullertontool.com Phone: 800-248-8315 or Live Chat on Fullerton Tool's website

Cutting costs and saving money will keep you competitive in the manufacturing market. 

That’s why you should check out Fullterton Tool's Regrind program!  

It reduces cost by 30-50% just by taking your used tooling and regrinding it to like-new conditions, while still maintaining precise geometries, edge prep, and coatings.

Why Regrind?

• Save 30-50% with tooling reground to like-new condition.
• Reduce inventory on hand.
• Available for standard and custom tooling.
• Precise geometries and edge preps generate 100% performance compared to new tooling.
• Recoated in-house with Fullerton premium coatings.
• Free 1-3 day returned shipping via USPS.
• Fullerton grinds and finishes applied to tooling, regardless of manufacturer.
  

Want To Get Started? 

Contact Fullerton's Regrind Department at:
P: 989.799.4550
Tool Free: 800.248.8315
E: regrinds@fullertontool.com