Is this the right page? Perhaps you were looking for our carbide end mills instead! Or take a look at our main milling cutters page for more info.

Prima Tooling coated carbide drills are available in two variations. Either in Aluminium Chromium Nitride (AlCrN), a titanium-free coating used for broad applications.  Such as drilling steel, cast iron, and hard materials.

Facilitating easier operation and reducing heat build-up, preventing chips welding to the cutting edges. Most important, overheating will shorten the life of the drill.

Please note that different manufacturers may use their own trade names for these different cut types, whereas I’m just using the generic names here. When comparing the cutting capacities of cut types, the Semi-Flush cut gives you the highest cutting capacity. The Flush cut will provide a lower cutting capacity than the Semi-Flush cut and the Full-Flush provides the lowest of the three. Another thing to consider is that a Semi-Flush cutter will hold its edge (sharpness) longer than a Flush cutter and a Flush cutter will hold its edge longer than a Full-Flush cutter. The head style is not limited to any one type of cut. For example, an oval head cutter can come in any of the three types of cut, but for maximum cutting capacity, an oval head with a semi-flush cut will give you the highest cutting capacity.The Strongest Cutter:The Strongest Cutter is going to be a Semi-Flush, XL, Oval Head (non-relieved) cutter. The main feature that makes one cutter stronger than the other, is the quantity of the metal backing up the cutting edge.

Carbide drills are available with or without coolant bores. Allowing coolant to be fed through to the drill bit during operation. Therefore reducing friction and increasing efficiency by lubricating the tool and work surfaces.

When selecting a cutter, you must determine the gauge and type of material you’ll be cutting. Except for hard-wire cutters, cutting capacity ratings are based on soft copper wire. Published cutting capacities are normally for the throat of the cutter, not the tips. The tips most often have a cutting capacity of 4 AWG or less (bigger number/smaller size) than the published cutting capacity. If you’re using precision cutters and are having to squeeze hard to cut your material, you’re probably cutting beyond the cutter’s capacity.If you’re going to be cutting 18 AWG soft copper wire all day, every day, I wouldn’t settle for a cutter that is rated up to 18 AWG. Instead, select a cutter that’s rated up to 16 AWG because it will hold its edge longer.If you need to cut hard, semi-hard, or memory wire, you’ll need a specialty cutter like Xuron’s 2193, Knipex 74-12-160 or Lindstrom’s TRX-8180. The 2193 will cut steel wire up to 12 gauge, and memory wire up to 18 gauge. Trying to cut these materials with a pair of precision cutters will surely damage them. For even heavier gauge material, I would look at the Knipex 71-12-200 Mini Bolt Cutters. Handles: When selecting a pair of cutters, your first decision will be which handle fits your hand. Many manufacturers offer multiple handle options. Find the handle that fits your hands best. With precision cutters, it should be easy to cut through your material. If you are needing extra strength or longer handles to get more leverage, you are using the wrong cutter.

Image

Carbide drills manufactured from ultra-fine grain type tungsten carbide. One of the strongest materials in the world. Ideal for drilling, boring and machining hard materials and metals that ordinary drill bits cannot get through.

Click for more information on the ranges and models of carbide drills we have in stock, check out our engineering tooling catalogues, or get in touch with Prima Tooling today!

Because tungsten has the highest melting point of any heavy metal on earth, tungsten carbide is unbelievably heat resistant.

Image

Sutton Tools Black Magic XL Series carbide drills are particularly designed to reduce operation times. Demanding deep drilling whilst tackling the hardest materials, metals, and super alloys.

With our extensive experience in selling and supporting precision cutters, we have learned that most often, when there is a problem, all brands have the same problem. This common issue is what is known as “Over Ranged”. It is not the fault of the cutter or of the manufacturer, but of the user trying to cut material the cutter was not designed to cut. This may be the gauge (thickness) of the material or of the “Type” of material (ie.. Copper, Brass, Stainless). Most often, it is an issue the user of the user trying to cut a “Type” material that is harder than what the cutters were rated for. The capacity rating provided (other than specific “Hard Wire” cutters) is most always for “soft solid copper wire”. Most all other material used in the Jewelry Trade is harder than copper. I am not saying you cannot cut this harder material; I am saying you should use an appropriate cutter to do so.The second most common issue is cutting the material at the very tip of the cutters, which happens to be the weakest part of the cutter. The capacity rating published is for the throat and not the tip. When a tool is damaged, we find that most often it was caused by the material being cut, which was not copper but of a harder material. In the Jewelry Trade, there is a need to get into tight small areas to trim up pieces and you want to use an extra small tapered head cutter to do so. Be Careful! Make sure you know what the material is. Maybe pull the wire out so that you can use a larger appropriate cutter, then push/tuck it back in. Most manufacturers have a “Guarantee” that covers defects in material, manufacturing and workmanship. “Over Ranging” is not covered by a manufacturer’s guarantee, as it is considered misapplication/abuse. Here are the essential points to consider when buying a new pair of cutters:

Internal coolant allows large material removal rate. Maintaining high cutting speeds whilst keeping temperatures down.  On the whole preventing overheating, and extending operating lifespan. Specifically designed flutes ensure fast short chip evacuations eliminate the risk of jamming.

No matter what brand of cutters you are looking at, unless you are only doing one task with the same material forever, there is no single cutter for all your needs. Trying to save money by using the wrong cutter can damage your material and shorten the cutter’s life, costing you more in the long run.

Image

Or HELICA, an AlCrN-based coating more suitable for drilling stainless steel, non-ferrous materials, titanium, and super alloys.

With this in mind, carbide drills operate efficiently under high temperatures.  Making them suitable for high-speed applications. Whilst tipped drill bits are preferred for shallow drilling, with full carbide drills for deeper drilling.

Tungsten carbide is a super strong metal alloy. Formed by combining carbon with tungsten, a heavy metal with the highest tensile strength. This combination produces a markedly durable alloy. Challenged only by polycrystalline diamond (PCD) in terms of strength. Perfect for crafting end mills, drill bits, and tool tips.

Head Types & Size: There are 3 basic head types: oval, tapered, and tip cutters. There are also many subtypes, such as relieved and angulated. Choose the strongest head that still allows access to the material to be cut.