On 2/14/2015 6:23 AM, Ed Huntress wrote:
On Sat, 14 Feb 2015 04:15:43 -0800 (PST), robobass
wrote:

I just ordered two 6mm carbide cutters. Maybe I'll try grinding the flutes on one of them. I did notice that my 3mm carbide mill cuts brass with way less effort than the HSS Co. Maybe the combination of carbide and a larger radius will be enough. Two finishing passes too? I don't need a mirror finish, but it's gotta be better than it is now!
Thanks everyone.

Something is funny there. There should be little or no difference in
the "effort" required by a carbide cutter versus HSS. If anything, the
HSS should require slightly less effort, given equal sharpness.

The only reason to go with carbide when cutting brass is if you're
burning your HSS cutters. This is extremely unlikely.

There is one other potential issue, however: Carbide is stiffer. If
the flexibility of the cutter itself is contributing to the chatter,
carbide could help.

Right and if the cutter is a 4 flute, there isn't time for cuttings to
clear before the next tooth comes and that might be the jitter. Turn
slower and move slower and see if the roughness goes away.

HSS really HSS not 'cheap steel' cutters would be far above a match
and can have a sharp edge to shave off the brass cleanly.

The nose on carbide is rounded as carbide shatters easily if pointed.

I use carbide on Bronze and HSS on brass. I mill and turn both.

Another issue might be to deep of a slot being cut. Hogging out to much
metal in a pass.

Martin