You can't plunge cut with the triangular insert cutters, but you can
ramp down with them(slowly increase the depth of cut as you go along).
But you can get insert cutters that will plunge cut. They usually have
square inserts or combination of several inserts, one cutting the center
and another cutting the outside. Valenite, Kennemetal, and others make
a wide variety of these, in sizes from 1/4" up.

Karl Townsend wrote:
"himog" wrote in message
oups.com...

I haven't used any indexable milling cutters yet, and have some
questions.

First, are indexable end mills that take triangular inserts really end
mills in the sense that an ordinary end mill is an end mill? That is,
do they mill on the end, or just the side? If not, then aren't they
*really* small diameter 90 degree angle face milling cutters?


They're not center cutting, you can't plunge with them. If you have too, you
can angle down as you traverse. Many, not all, ground endmills are center
cutting


Second, does any company sell 45 degree indexable dovetail cutters?


Sandik. Hold on to your shorts when you see the price.

Karl