When it comes to milling machines, it is incredibly important to choose the perfect tools for the job. Most end mills and drill bits are designed to perform specific functions. If you want to cut down on tool changes and increase efficiency in your shop, versatile tools like drill mills can help you work faster and smarter.

If you didn’t guess from the name, a drill mill is a milling cutter that combines elements of both end mills and drill bits. The design of the tool’s flutes are similar to a square end mill, making side milling possible. Instead of terminating in a square or ball end like most side milling tools, these tools feature a sharp point like the end of a drill bit. The combination of these design elements make these tools uniquely suited for a wide range of milling operations.

Drilling
Because of the point, these tools are capable of drilling holes. You can use the tip of these tools to spot drill locations for your larger twist bits. They can also be used to drill holes the size of your cutter. If you know that you will need to drill holes and perform any of the other tasks listed below, you can use drill mills to kill several birds with one stone.

Milling
In addition to drilling holes, your drill mills can also perform side milling tasks. Because of the design of their flutes, drill mills can be used to drill a hole into your material and then side mill a slot using that hole as a starting point. They can also be used to side mill V shaped notches using the tip of the cutter. Using just one of these unique cutters can help you avoid the tool changes normally needed to perform all of these tasks.

Finishing
Another great use for these tools is finishing your workpiece. The point of your drill mill is perfect for chamfering or beveling the edges of your workpiece in order to remove any sharp edges. In a similar manner, you can use these tools to deburr a workpiece. The sharp point of these cutters also make them perfect for engraving and other fine finishing tasks.

If you are looking to find some versatile drill mills for your shop, you need to check out www.OnlineCarbide.com. They are an American manufacturer of high quality end mills and drill bits made from tungsten micrograin carbide tool stock. The offer drill mills with a polished carbide finish as well as options that feature a TiAlN/AlTiN coating that can help increase your tool’s ability to resist fatigue from high temperatures. As an added bonus, all of their tools are available at manufacturer direct prices so you can always find a great deal on the milling cutters you need. If you have any questions about their products, feel free to contact a member of the Online Carbide team by sending an email to [email protected].