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.

Fullerton Tool, offers two types of Weldon Flats: The Standard Weldon Flat (WF) and the Advanced Performance Weldon Flat (AF)

They are essentially the same, but the length of the Weldon Flat in relationship to the cutting tool is different.

The Advanced Performance Weldon Flat (AF) is measured from the flute washout to the flat. This guarantees that the flute or flute washout will not be inside of the holder. If the flute or flute washout is inside the tool holder, the chips can pack into the holder and cause the tool to break.

This year at PMTS, our Booth # 2088 will be featuring Advanced Chemical Solutions, Fullerton Tool Company, and​ Everede Tool Company. 

​Understanding the relationship between cutting tools and metalworking fluids provides us with an advantage you will not find with any other exhibitor, an advantage that you can put to work for you.
 
Friendly members of our team will be ready to answer any questions you might have.
 
To check out Booth 2088 in person, be sure to register for PMTS below!
 
Hope to see you there!

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 

Get to know our the Fullerton Tool Company team through our rep spotlights that feature team members from our independent manufacturers representative companies. Check out this rep spotlight, which features our 2020 recipient of Fullerton Tool Company's Morgan Victor 5-P's Sales Rep of the Year, Dave Browne.

Get to know Dave Browne, one of our Independent Manufacturers Representatives from Browne & Co. and recipient of the Morgan Victor 5-P's Sales Rep of the Year award. 

Dave has been in the cutting tool industry for the past 36 years, 30 of those years with Browne & Co. He likes representing Fullerton products because the extreme high quality of the tools. When you sell anything, you want to make sure the customer is satisfied and wants to buy from you again. Fullerton products very rarely get returned. When you sell high-quality products, you build business relationships that last a lifetime.
​
Dave has been married to his wife, Tiffany, for 28 years. Together, they have three children: Adam (24), John (21), and Emily (18). They have a dog named Rosie. He enjoys reading (and averages about 50 books per year), kind of enjoys exercising, and enjoys boating on Lake Erie.

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

Fullerton Tool's 1565 AlumaDrill is a master of enhanced chip evacuation in high speed drilling in titanium, graphite, brass & copper, high si aluminum, low si aluminum, composites, plastics, and wood. Its unique radial grinds allow self-centering and increases aggressiveness in softer materials.
​
1565 AlumaDrill Features:

• Enhanced chip evacuation in high speed drilling applications
• Unique radial grinds allow for self-centering and increases aggressiveness in softer materials
• 3 flute design
• 30 degree helix
• 130 degree high performance point
• Standard tools are uncoated; coatings are available upon request

​Start your search for an AlumaDrill with the button below: