Indexable insert face mills and shoulder mills

[Mayhem]

I quite often come back to Ken's posts on carbide insert tooling as they are a wealth of information and it means I don't have to bug him by email as much

Further, like most, I also keep an eye out on eBay for deals. Whilst I'm not interested in either of these, some of you may be:

This is a Walter F2280 face mill, similar to that shown by Ken in the first post. I believe it takes the same OD..00504... inserts as my smaller 2" F2280. However, you may wish to wait until Ken confirms what I think, as I cannot find these face mills listed in the Walter catalogs that I have. I think Ken told me that they have changed the family name from F2280 to something else. I do know that the inserts that fit my face mill are still readily available.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WALTER-F2280-UB-...23304d52a5

I used the Valenite version of one of these at Ken's and immediately purchased one myself. Whilst the add states Walter, my guess (based on the part number) is that it is a Valenite Centre-Dex, the same as Ken, Wrussle and I have. Mine takes SD322P Inserts which I can still get despite the endmill being discontinued.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WALTER-1-END-MIL...3aa60e5678

Usual disclaimer - I have no financial interest in these tools or their sellers. I've simply posted them, as these are tools that I would buy if I didn't have them already, or unless Ken told me to walk away form them...

[PixMan]

That's a great face mill at a more than fair price. If I didn't already have a couple, I'd jump on it because the smaller ODxT0504ZZN inserts are a little less money than the larger ODxT0605ZZN that my cutters use. The main difference is the maximum depth of cut per pass with the smaller inserts limited to 3mm, where I could get 4mm if I had the power.

The F2280 is essentially the same as the current F4080. The newer F4080 simply uses a nickel plating and (on paper) accepts a 1mm longer screw that is Torx Plus instead of regular Torx. I ordered the longer screws as I have both styles of cutter, and they fit like a glove.

I will correct one thing here: The Walter Valenite CenterDex cutters are still current product, and apparently because they sell a LOT of them. It's the best all-around drill that can mill, or mill that can drill. There are some larger ones that aren't center-cutting, but as long as the designation has the "CCC" or CCEC" suffix it's a center cutting one.

[Mayhem]

Thanks for clearing up my misconception on the CenterDex cutter.

There are a lot of cutters out there for good prices. There are also a lot that are at cost and some that the seller appears to have added the cost of every insert he has ever bought onto the RRP of the cutter to ensure they get their money back!

I was actually looking at some end mills but nothing (other than the CenterDex) grabbed my attention. There were a number that were cheaper than similar sized solid carbide end mills but most had shank sizes that would require me buying dedicated end mill holders. I'm not against that but it isn't something I really need at present. More of me having a look and see what is out there...

Ken - when I am looking up feed rate values for my F2280, can I use the data for the F4080? I think that between us, we didn't manage to find anything specific to my face mill. I've just confirmed that mine doesn't take the 0504 inserts, as I initially thought. It takes the 0605 (I went and looked at the box in my shop!).

[Highpower]

I would love to have a cutter like that. Unfortunately I would need a mill with enough HP and rigidity to go along with it.  

[PixMan]

I forgot to reply to this.

Yes Darren, the F4080 cutter is essential the same thing as your F2280 (and mine) without the nickel plating of the newer version. So yes, cutting rates (speed and feed) are the same for the two cutters as they use the same inserts.

BTW, I ended up buying that F2280.UB.064.Z06.03 cutter and now have it. I also bought a high quality European made R8 adapter for it. I've got $100.00 into the cutter and $65.21 into the shell mill arbor. I'm waiting for inserts ODMT0504ZZN-D57 to come up on eBay, but if anyone wants the kit now for $172.00 shipped to a US address, it's available. I'd ship to AUS for cost only because I've done it a few times now and am comfortable with that.

[Mayhem]

Thanks Ken - I'm glad you were able to benefit from my eBay search hits. I've certainly benefited from yours

[PixMan]

I appreciate the heads up when you see something. In this case the benefit won't be mine so much as whoever gets it from me.

With my eBay account I have an active search saved for Walter product that shows by "newly listed" and overlooked that one because I already have PLENTY of cutters. I went back and bought it because a fellow on another site was looking for a face mill and bought a weird Walter cutter "tip" (add-on extension for a helical milling cutter), thinking it was a super face mill for $20.

The cutter is here for a fair price for him or anyone else wanting to get a truly good face mill for a reasonable price.

[Mayhem]

I misread your post Ken - I thought you were going to keep it unless someone else wanted it.

I hope whoever buys it appreciates the fact that you have taken the time and money to buy the facemill and the R8 adapter, as well as inserts (if they wait until you get them). Not many people would be willing to do that.

I must admit that I am always a little hesitant to post such things, as I really don't have a fraction of the knowledge about these things as you do. I would hate to post something that turns out to be bad and have someone buy it before you can correct my mistake...

[EdK]

Ken,

Did you sell the face mill or is it still available? With my larger mill coming soon, I'd like to get a face mill to go along with the shoulder mill I got from you.

Ed

[Sunset Machine]

Why are they called "indexable"?