When handling the milling cutter, there are several precautionary requirements. Below are some of these:
- Do not make direct contact with the cutter.
- Place a cover on the table or area where you are placing the milling machinery in order to avoid damages.
- When you install or remove a milling cutter, always use a rag when holding them to avoid cutting your hands.
- Do not try to tighten the arbor nuts with the use of machine power.
- When setting the milling machine, install the cutter last.
- Never attempt to adjust the work piece or mounting device while the machine is turned on.
- Remove wood chips using a rake or brush.
- Remember to shut down the machine before making any adjustments.
- The distance between adjacent teeth is known as the pitch.
- The number of teeth determines the pitch and the tooth face refers to the forward surface of the tooth forming the cutting edge.
- The angle situated on each tooth is the cutting edge. It performs the major cutting of the machine.
- The rake angle is found between face of the tooth and the center of the cutter.
- Behind the cutting edge found on every tooth is a narrow surface known as the land.
- Cutters that are more than .75 inches are made up of spiral teeth. The plain spiral cutter produces better results in that it creates smoother finishes. It also requires lesser power to operate.
- Consider getting high-speed steel with cemented carbide cutters. This type of cutter has an advantage in that it is capable of fast production. Using it on a machine properly with the proper speed will make it very effective.
- Select the cutter with the right resisting properties. When you cut hard materials, you will need a greater amount of heat.
- Consider using coarse tooth cutters when cutting through rough materials and a much finer cutter for final finishing touches and for light cuts as well.
- When milling a wood piece to length, the choice of cutter will depend on how many pieces you will cut it into. You may use a pair of side cutters, a single sided cutter or an end cutter.
- When you will be milling the square end on a reamer shank, you need to operate with more than one cutter. You will need a fly cutter or a two side cutter.
- The diameter of your chosen milling cutter should be small enough so that the cut will not make the work piece be displaced while it is being milled.