Thread milling with solid carbide mills has numerous advantages over conventional thread milling with high-speed steel, and even more over traditional methods using a tap and die.
Solid carbide thread mills are extremely hard and offer superior resistance to high heat and wear. They also offer thinner tool diameters and so can be run at higher speeds. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using them.
1. Superior thread quality
Compared to other threading methods, thread milling with solid carbide produces higher quality threads milled to superior quality and tolerances. The narrow diameter and high speeds of solid carbide thread mills also support superior chip evacuation rates, too.
2. Ability to work with difficult materials
Some materials are notoriously difficult when it comes to cutting or milling threads. However, since carbide tools are narrower, maintain their edges longer, and can be run at higher speeds, this makes them potentially superior for thread milling hardened steel and titanium, among other difficult materials.
3. One tool can be used to produce both right and left-hand threads
Not necessarily a specific advantage of using carbide mills, but one single thread mill can potentially be used not only to produce threads both inside and outside of a hole but it can also be used to produce both right-hand and left-hand threads. The same carbide mills can produce threads of different diameters as long as the pitch is consistent.
4. Less wear on the machine
When thread milling, the machine spindle will suffer less wear and tear, especially when compared with tapping. It won’t need to be stopped for every thread or reversed.
5. Might even take less time
Thread milling with solid carbide mills is expedient and efficient. Tapping, naturally is a very time consuming process, but even using thread mills that cannot be run at the same speeds as carbide mills will take longer.
6. Longer tool life
When thread milling, the key to a precise, nearly perfect threaded surface is a hard, sharp tool with little to no wear and no surface imperfections. Solid carbide mills are far and away the superior option when it comes to hardness and edge retention.
7. (Potentially) lower overall cost
It’s no secret that carbide thread mills are more expensive than HSS alternatives, so how can we claim lower cost as an advantage?
It has to do with tool life. Well-cared-for carbide thread mills will last longer than HSS and experience less wear (which affects the quality of the threads). So ultimately, solid carbide might actually be a more economical option despite the ostensibly higher up-front cost.
Alright, I’m Sold: How Can I Get Started Thread Milling with Solid Carbide
Ready to quit your HSS thread mills so you can get started thread milling with solid carbide alternatives? First, you’ll need some carbide thread mills.
For that, visit Online Carbide at OnlineCarbide.com. They carry a wide range of solid carbide thread mills, along with other solid carbide end mills, both standard, and variable, in addition to chamfer mills, drills mills, spot drills, jobber drills, and more.
Their solid carbide mills are made in America and select orders qualify for free shipping. Visit their website for more details.
