“We over-engineer all Spyder tools to withstand all-day use and abuse from professional users, and Mach-Blue driver bits are no exception,” said Ryan Campbell, executive vice president and general manager of Spyder. “The combination of our superior Mach-Blue plating, precision machining and durable alloy steel creates a long-lived impact-driver bit that maximizes the investment of both professional and casual users.”

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Optimal flute count also depends upon the specific machining application in question. End mills with high flute counts work well in finishing applications since smaller amounts of material will be removed and chip evacuation will not be a primary concern. On the other hand, roughing operations will benefit from a lower flute count, where it is necessary to have larger flute valley to evacuate chips with increased frequency.

Most end mill flutes traditionally come in 2 or 4 flute variations. 2-flute end mills have generally been preferred when machining aluminum materials, since the extra space is necessary for the relatively larger chips to evacuate when the tool is operating at a faster feed.

There is a vast array of small yet important decisions that must be made when working in CNC machining. For example, it is vital to choose the right number of flutes on end mills to enable your tooling to ensure smooth operation and maximize productivity. Your best option will depend on a number of factors, including the hardness of the materials you are looking to cut as well as the parameters of the tooling at your disposal.

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If you have any questions or would like advice regarding the appropriate number of flutes for your end mills, please feel free to get in touch with us at Star Tool Inc today. We currently provide carbide end mills of anywhere between 2 to 7 flutes and are prepared to help you find the perfect carbide end mill solution for your metalworking needs.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building on its expertise in drilling, boring and cutting tools, Spyder®, a leader in high-performance power tool accessories, today unveiled its latest product — impact-rated driver bits featuring Mach-Blue™ Tough Tip™ technology. Available now, Lowe’s is the exclusive nationwide home center to offer the new Mach-Blue driver bits.

The general correlation between flute count, core size and tool strength is straightforward. More flutes equals a larger core equals greater tool strength. Furthermore, end mills with higher flute counts tend to have a smaller cut depth and so can be used to provide a smoother finish on virtually any material.

Mach-Blue driver bits are currently available in a 25-piece kit, which includes Phillips, slotted, star and square bits, as well as a 30-piece kit, which includes additional sizes and nut-driver bits. Each kit includes a magnetic bit holder and is housed in a durable hard case with bump- and slip-resistant rubber corners. Additional drive sets, drill-and-drive sets, and individual bits will be available later this summer.

To recap, more flutes on end mills means more strength and a smoother finish. However, lighter metals may require a lower flute count to be sure that any chips have space to clear during operation.

The bits’ impact-rated, 1/4” speed hex allows them to be used in high-torque impacting drivers and conventional rotary drills with three-jaw chucks.

Mach-Blue driver bits are designed to last significantly longer and resist breakage better than typical impact-rated driver bits. The new bits have been third-party tested to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards and shown to last up to 70 times longer than standard impact-rated driver bits.

Starting in 2007 with the Spyder Scraper® and continuing with award-winning 3x3® reciprocating saw blades and jigsaw blades, hole saws, Tarantula™ circular saw blades and more, Spyder Products has developed a reputation for making quality power tool attachments that make tough jobs easier for professional contractors. The company has also continued to innovate with features that make their products work harder, last longer and finish the job faster. For more information, visit www.spyderproducts.com.

Today, it is also possible to order end mills with 3, 5, 6 or even 7 flutes. 3-flute carbide end mills have gained popularity when cutting aluminum or non-ferrous materials, offering superior productivity and finish as compared to traditional 2-flute end mills without obstructing chip evacuation.

Meanwhile, 4-flute end mills have been preferred when machining steel and similarly hard alloys since they have more cutting surfaces to contact the part per rotation. Since such harder metals require a slower feed, using end mills with 4 or more flutes serves to increase the rate of metal removal.

Following the launch of Spyder’s high-speed steel drill bits last year, Mach-Blue driver bits are the company’s second product line to feature Mach-Blue plating, which gives the tools an eye-catching, iridescent blue finish.

However, adding more flutes is not without drawbacks, as the larger core takes up space and limits flute valleys that otherwise allow chips to evacuate more easily while machining. As a result, stronger end mills with higher flute counts are better used when cutting harder, more ferrous material that require a faster rate of metal removal.

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Spyder’s new bits also feature 33% stronger tip profiles compared to standard bits driven by the company’s proprietary Tough Tip technology. This technology incorporates Spyder’s Mach-Blue plating, which strengthens the drive surface and provides extreme corrosion protection. Spyder’s proprietary IMPACTive™ alloy tool steel and optimized torsion zones actively flex to dissipate peak impact forces. Each drive tip is precision machined for superior strength and fit, resisting cam-out, twisting and breakage.

End mills with higher counts of 5, 6, and 7 flutes are increasingly being used to cut harder materials, as a higher flute count allows for a tool with more strength and less wear, resulting in a longer tool life. High flute counts can also be beneficial in specialty applications when dealing with certain kinds of ferrous materials.