In the last few years I have been using solid carbide endmills more
and more. They work great in the CNC mill, the machine is rigid and
the toolholders hold the cutters with just a couple tenths runout.
They last very long and the ones for aluminum allow me to run the
spindle flat out at 7500 RPM for many of the cutters. Compared to HSS
cutters they are a bargain because of tool life and cutting speed. In
fact, the carbide cutters are so good now that they even work well on
the Bridgeport. The Bridgeport mill is not near as rigid and the
collets run out a little more than the Fadal but the cutters don't
chip the way they used to. I am very impressed and am getting to the
point where I am starting to really dislike HSS for endmills and
spotting drills. Just thought I'd pass my exerience along.
Eric