I have a selection of end mills and I would like to "test" them to see if one brand or model works better than another. Unfortunately, I'm not really sure how to go about comparing them fairly.
Can anyone give me any assistance or pointers in this endeavor? Ideally, each test would take somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Maybe I could clamp in a piece of 1" thick aluminum and take 3 or 4 passes at varying widths or depths at the same feed and speed? Maybe start with taking 1/8" off, then do 1/4", 3/8", and then a full 1/2" slot. Do all four at 3/16" depth, then do all four again at 5/16", then at 1/2". I would make it so the bar was sticking out the same amount from the vice for each mill. Do y'all think that would be a good method to compare different end mills?
Can anyone give me any assistance or pointers in this endeavor? Ideally, each test would take somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Maybe I could clamp in a piece of 1" thick aluminum and take 3 or 4 passes at varying widths or depths at the same feed and speed? Maybe start with taking 1/8" off, then do 1/4", 3/8", and then a full 1/2" slot. Do all four at 3/16" depth, then do all four again at 5/16", then at 1/2". I would make it so the bar was sticking out the same amount from the vice for each mill. Do y'all think that would be a good method to compare different end mills?