The Melin Tool A-B-series uncoated (bright) cobalt steel ball nose end mill has two flutes and a 30-degree helix angle for general-purpose machining on stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, tough alloys, and abrasive materials. The two flutes have better chip-carrying capacity than end mills with more flutes while offering additional support when the tool goes deep into the material in applications with a high depth of cut. The tool’s ball nose creates contoured surfaces, where sharp corners are not required. The center-cutting design has cutting teeth at the end of the tool, so it can be fed into the workpiece like a drill bit. The 30-degree helix angle supports general-purpose applications. It balances lower angles’ strong cutting edge for difficult-to-machine materials with higher angles’ increased cutting action.

Cobalt steel can be run at faster speeds and stays sharp longer than high-speed steel tools, while offering resistance to heat and abrasion. With no coating or surface treatment, this uncoated tool can be used on a range of materials. Cutting diameter tolerance is + 0.0005 to - 0.0005" for end mills with a cutting diameter up to 5/8" and + 0.001 to - 0.001" for end mills with a cutting diameter over 5/8". This tool has a Weldon shank.

End mills are designed to remove material and create multi-dimensional shapes and profiles. They have cutting edges along the outside diameter and flutes that remove chips from the cutting area and allow cooling fluids to enter. If heat is not reduced effectively, the tool’s cutting edges will dull and additional material buildup can occur. The number of flutes can range from two to eight. Two-flute designs offer the most efficient chip removal, but more flutes provide a smoother finish. The shank is the end of the tool held in place by a tool holder or machine. Center-cutting end mills can create three-dimensional shapes and profiles, and make plunge cuts similar to a drill bit. Non-center-cutting end mills are for applications such as peripheral milling and finishing, but cannot make plunge cuts.

Melin Tool manufactures cutting tools such as end mills, countersinks, drills, and thread mills. The company, founded in 1940, is headquartered in Cleveland, OH.