ChipLoad

flat end mill profile illustrationVortex Solid carbide spiral

Vortex solid carbide router bit (3/8")

Type: flat end mill · Diameter: 0.375" · Flutes: see manufacturer catalog

Starting points only, sourced from the manufacturers' own published data. Every machine differs: test in scrap, tune by ear. Neither ChipLoad nor the manufacturers are responsible for broken tools.

Published values, summarized per material and machine class. For the full CAM library (plunge, depth, stepover), download it from the manufacturer.

MaterialMachine classRPMFeed IPMChip load (in)NoteSource
Acrylicany18000–0.01 – 0.012Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex
Aluminumany18000–0.006 – 0.008Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex
Hard plasticany18000–0.008 – 0.01Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex
Hard woodany18000–0.015 – 0.018Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ⚠ Outlier: ours 0.0165" vs median 0.006" of 3 other manufacturer(s): Freud, High Country Tools, SpeTool (+175%)Vortex
High pressure laminateany18000–0.015 – 0.018Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex
MDF / particle boardany18000–0.02 – 0.023Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex
Phenolic / Paperstoneany18000–0.006 – 0.008Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex
Soft plasticany18000–0.01 – 0.012Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex
Softwood / plywoodany18000–0.017 – 0.02Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ⚠ Outlier: ours 0.0185" vs median 0.0056" of 3 other manufacturer(s): Amana Tool, Freud, High Country Tools (+230%)Vortex
Solid surfaceany18000–0.008 – 0.01Vortex chip load chart (3/8"). RPM as printed: 18,000 for tooling 3/8" and smaller, 16,000 for larger. Feed = RPM × flutes × chip load. ✓ Cross-checkedVortex

Retrieved 2026-10-16. Get the tool file from the manufacturer: Vortex downloads