As a grinding tool, carbide burrs are unforgiving. The shape of the burr will directly reflect the shape of the cut achieved, so when you are selecting the burr it is important to check that you have the correct shape for the finished profile you aim to achieve.

Fluted Cut Carbide Burrs - for non-ferrous metals and plastics are identified as Code 3 ( /3) at the end of our part (sku) number. The open fluted cut face aids fast swarf removal on soft materials such as aluminium and soft plastics.

The machine profile of the carbide burr is important for it's application.  There are many older styles of cut profile but at AFS we took the decision to focus on the best options for all applications.  We therefore have two cut profiles available as standard.

Fluted Cut Burrs = Softer metals and soft plastics tend to heat up quickly when grinding into the material surface.  For this reason we supply the fluted cut profile on all our carbide burrs designed for aluminium.  Fluted cut carbide burrs have long curved cutting profile which allows for efficient removal of the grinding swarf and also allows for more air to get near the cutting surface in order to keep the workpiece cool.

Let the burr do the work.  High pressure at the contact point will only increase heat and therefore the risk of a burr head failure.  Enough pressure is needed to ensure a consistent contact with the workpeice but no more than that.  Lower pressure will also allow for easier swarf removal which will in turn lead to a cleaner and smoother cut with your burr.

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For a softer surface  - Choose the Fluted Cut burrs.  The open fluted structure allows the swarf to be removed quickly without clogging up the surface and generating more heat.

Diamond Cut Burrs = This is a finer tooth head which has a knurled appearance on the surface which creates a large number of smaller cutting faces.  Ideal for harder metals including steels, stainless steel and aerospace metals.  The finer burr cut profile also improves the quality of finish from the burr.

In principle we recommend the highest effective speed for carbide burrs.  This will assist in removing swarf and reduce the chattering against the workpiece which will, in turn, improve the finish from the burr cut.

Step 2: Select the correct cutting edge for excellent carbide burr performance. To keep it simple we only supply the premium performance carbide burr forms.

Non-ferrous metals and soft plastics can clog up the cutting head of a burr so for this reason the fluted cutting shape makes sense.

What's inside? A guide on how to choose the best cutting shape for you. Recommendations for use. Cutting speed tables.  And our full range of 80+ burrs organised by shape and size. Available here.

Diamond Cut Carbide Burrs - for hard metals such as stainless steel and titanium. Diamond cut tungsten carbide burrs are identified as Code 6 ( /6) at the end of our part (sku) number. The multi-faced diamond cut burr ensures rapid low vibration cutting on steels and other hard metals.

We stock an extensive range of tungsten carbide burrs in 11 different shapes, 2 different cut forms and a whole range of diameters which will easily fit on to your die grinder.

Dependent on the size of the burr, premium quality carbide burrs are either fully machined from a solid piece of tungsten carbide or the cutting head of the burr is made from a 'blank' of tungsten carbide which is soldered onto a tool hardened steel shaft to create the burr head.

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Step 1: Choose the shape of our Tungsten Carbide Burrs (also known as rotary files or die grinder bits) that will do the job.

If it is a hard surface (including hard plastics) - Choose a Diamond Cut burr.  The fine tooth structure will ensure a rapid cut and a finer finish.

The exception to this is when working in a pillar drill type of application or counter-sinking when working at 3,000 rpm or even lower will be effective.

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Looking at a carbide burr in a box it is very difficult to tell one burr from another.  Here are three tips which might help you to separate the sheep from the goats (so to speak)...

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Harder metals won’t clog up the metal, but the metal breaks off in small chunks, so lots of small cutting edges which you get on a diamond cut head speed up the grinding process.

Brass is significantly softer than the carbide burr so a good quality brass wire brush will be able to remove the swarf leaving the cutting tip undamaged and ready to carry on working.

Aluminium grinding swarf will stick to the head of the carbide burr if too much heat was generated in the grinding process.  Keep the heat down and allow air to get to the workpiece will prevent fluted cut carbide burrs from loading.  Assuming you have not been able to prevent swarf build up and you haven't got a pot of hydrochloric acid handy (which will dissolve aluminium) then the next best option to clean the carbide burr head is to use brass wire brushes to clean away the aluminium swarf.