1/4" flat end mill feeds and speeds: chip load chart by material & machine

1/4" flat end mill feeds and speeds

13 sourced settings from Amana Tool, Sienci Labs. Published chip loads range from 0.00249 to 0.008 in per tooth. Pick your material:

acrylic (2) · aluminum (3) · hardwood (2) · mdf (2) · plastic (2) · softwood (2)

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Maker / bit	Material	Machine class	RPM	Feed IPM	Chip load (in)	Source
Sienci Labs	Aluminum	hobby-light	17000	42.5	0.0025	source
Sienci Labs	Aluminum	hobby-light	12000	59.8	0.00249	source
Sienci Labs	Hardwood	hobby-light	17000	85	0.005	source
Sienci Labs	Hardwood	hobby-light	12000	86.2	0.00359	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	12000	72	0.006	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	10000	103.9	0.0052	source
Sienci Labs	Softwood	hobby-light	17000	85	0.005	source
Sienci Labs	Softwood	hobby-light	12000	86.2	0.00359	source
Amana Tool 46577-K	Plastic, Acrylic, Plexiglas	industrial	18000	180–250	0.005–0.007	source
Amana Tool 46577	Plastic, Acrylic, Plexiglas	industrial	18000	180–250	0.005–0.007	source
Amana Tool 46577	Aluminum, Copper, Brass	industrial	18000	180–250	0.005–0.007	source
Amana Tool 46577-K	Wood, MDF, Sign-Foam	industrial	18000	215–290	0.006–0.008	source
Amana Tool 46577	Wood, MDF, Sign-Foam	industrial	18000	215–290	0.006–0.008	source

FAQ

What feeds and speeds for a 1/4" flat end mill on a hobby-light CNC router?
Published maker data (Sienci Labs) gives a chip load of 0.00249–0.006 in per tooth and a feed of 42.5–103.9 IPM (8 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

What feeds and speeds for a 1/4" flat end mill on a industrial CNC router?
Published maker data (Amana Tool) gives a chip load of 0.005–0.008 in per tooth and a feed of 180–290 IPM (5 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

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