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

1/4" downcut end mill feeds and speeds

117 sourced settings from Harvey Tool, High Country Tools, Onsrud, Sienci Labs, SpeTool. Published chip loads range from 0.00075 to 0.012 in per tooth. Pick your material:

abs (4) · acetal / delrin (pom) (2) · acrylic (10) · aluminum (4) · baltic birch plywood (10) · cast acrylic (4) · dense hardwood (maple, oak) (10) · epoxy resin (10) · extruded acrylic (4) · hardwood (12) · hdpe / uhmw (10) · mdf (11) · melamine (10) · polycarbonate (lexan) (4) · softwood (12)

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Manufacturer / bit	Material	Machine class	RPM	Feed IPM	Chip load (in)	Source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	hobby-ultralight	12000	39.4	0.00164	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	hobby-ultralight	12000	56.2	0.00117	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	hobby-ultralight	12000	29.9	0.00125	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	hobby-ultralight	12000	42.7	0.00089	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	hobby-ultralight	12000	28.4	0.00118	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	hobby-ultralight	12000	40.5	0.00084	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Epoxy / resin	hobby-ultralight	12000	25.2	0.00105	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Epoxy / resin	hobby-ultralight	12000	36	0.00075	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood	hobby-ultralight	12000	31.5	0.00131	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood	hobby-ultralight	12000	45	0.00094	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	hobby-ultralight	11500	42.3	0.00184	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	hobby-ultralight	11500	60.4	0.00131	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	MDF / particleboard	hobby-ultralight	12000	34.7	0.00144	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	MDF / particleboard	hobby-ultralight	12000	49.5	0.00103	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	hobby-ultralight	12000	26.8	0.00112	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	hobby-ultralight	12000	38.2	0.0008	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	hobby-ultralight	12000	36.2	0.00151	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	hobby-ultralight	12000	51.7	0.00108	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	hobby-light	12500	63.8	0.00255	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	hobby-light	12500	91.1	0.00182	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Aluminum 6061	hobby-light	16000	35.9	0.00112	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	hobby-light	18000	69.8	0.00194	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	hobby-light	18000	99.7	0.00139	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	hobby-light	18000	66.2	0.00184	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	hobby-light	18000	94.5	0.00131	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Epoxy / resin	hobby-light	14500	47.4	0.00163	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Epoxy / resin	hobby-light	14500	67.7	0.00117	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood	hobby-light	18000	73.5	0.00204	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood	hobby-light	18000	105	0.00146	source
Sienci Labs	Hardwood	hobby-light	12000	86.2	0.00359	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	hobby-light	11500	65.7	0.00286	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	hobby-light	11500	93.9	0.00204	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	MDF / particleboard	hobby-light	17000	76.4	0.00225	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	MDF / particleboard	hobby-light	17000	109.1	0.0016	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	hobby-light	18000	62.5	0.00174	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	hobby-light	18000	89.2	0.00124	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	hobby-light	17000	79.8	0.00235	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	hobby-light	17000	114	0.00168	source
Sienci Labs	Softwood	hobby-light	12000	86.2	0.00359	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	hobby-rigid	12500	91.2	0.00365	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	hobby-rigid	12500	130.2	0.0026	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Aluminum 6061	hobby-rigid	16000	51.3	0.0016	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	hobby-rigid	18000	99.8	0.00277	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	hobby-rigid	18000	142.5	0.00198	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	hobby-rigid	18000	94.5	0.00263	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	hobby-rigid	18000	135	0.00187	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Epoxy / resin	hobby-rigid	14500	67.7	0.00233	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Epoxy / resin	hobby-rigid	14500	96.7	0.00167	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood	hobby-rigid	18000	105	0.00292	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood	hobby-rigid	18000	150	0.00208	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	hobby-rigid	11500	93.9	0.00408	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	hobby-rigid	11500	134.1	0.00292	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	MDF / particleboard	hobby-rigid	17000	109.1	0.00321	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	MDF / particleboard	hobby-rigid	17000	155.8	0.00229	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	hobby-rigid	18000	89.3	0.00248	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	hobby-rigid	18000	127.5	0.00177	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	hobby-rigid	17000	114.1	0.00335	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	hobby-rigid	17000	162.9	0.0024	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	business	12500	127.6	0.0051	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	business	12500	182.3	0.00365	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Aluminum 6061	business	16000	71.9	0.00225	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	business	18000	139.7	0.00388	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	business	18000	199.5	0.00277	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	business	18000	132.3	0.00368	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	business	18000	189	0.00262	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Epoxy / resin	business	14500	94.7	0.00327	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Epoxy / resin	business	14500	135.3	0.00233	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood	business	18000	147	0.00408	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood	business	18000	210	0.00292	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	business	11500	131.5	0.00572	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	business	11500	187.8	0.00408	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	MDF / particleboard	business	17000	152.7	0.00449	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	MDF / particleboard	business	17000	218.1	0.00321	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	business	18000	125	0.00347	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	business	18000	178.5	0.00248	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	business	17000	159.7	0.0047	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	business	17000	228	0.00335	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	industrial	12500	155	0.0062	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Acrylic / PVC (hard plastic)	industrial	12500	221.3	0.00443	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Aluminum 6061	industrial	16000	87.3	0.00273	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	industrial	18000	169.6	0.00471	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Baltic birch	industrial	18000	242.2	0.00336	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	industrial	18000	160.7	0.00446	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood - Dense (maple, oak, ash)	industrial	18000	229.5	0.00319	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Epoxy / resin	industrial	14500	115	0.00397	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Epoxy / resin	industrial	14500	164.3	0.00283	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Hardwood	industrial	18000	178.5	0.00496	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Hardwood	industrial	18000	255	0.00354	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	industrial	11500	159.7	0.00694	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	HDPE / UHMW / nylon (soft plastic)	industrial	11500	228	0.00496	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	MDF / particleboard	industrial	17000	185.5	0.00545	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	MDF / particleboard	industrial	17000	264.9	0.0039	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	industrial	18000	151.7	0.00422	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Plywood - Melamine / laminate	industrial	18000	216.7	0.00301	source
High Country Tools END-DC2-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	industrial	17000	193.9	0.0057	source
High Country Tools END-DC4-DLC	Softwood (pine, cedar, fir)	industrial	17000	276.9	0.00407	source
Onsrud 57-600	ABS	any	–	–	0.008–0.01	source
Onsrud 62-750	ABS	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 62-850	ABS	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 64-000/65-000	ABS	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Harvey Tool SFL	Acetal / Delrin (POM)	any	–	–	0.0086	source
Harvey Tool SFL	Acetal / Delrin (POM)	any	–	–	0.0099	source
Onsrud 57-600	Cast acrylic	any	–	–	0.006–0.008	source
Onsrud 62-750	Cast acrylic	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 62-850	Cast acrylic	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 64-000/65-000	Cast acrylic	any	–	–	0.01–0.012	source
Onsrud 57-600	Extruded acrylic	any	–	–	0.008–0.01	source
Onsrud 62-750	Extruded acrylic	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 62-850	Extruded acrylic	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 64-000/65-000	Extruded acrylic	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
SpeTool Carbide	Hardwood	any	18000	145	0.004	source
SpeTool Carbide	MDF / laminate	any	18000	230	0.006	source
Onsrud 57-600	Polycarbonate (Lexan)	any	–	–	0.008–0.01	source
Onsrud 62-750	Polycarbonate (Lexan)	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 62-850	Polycarbonate (Lexan)	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
Onsrud 64-000/65-000	Polycarbonate (Lexan)	any	–	–	0.008–0.012	source
SpeTool Carbide	Softwood	any	18000	200	0.0056	source

FAQ

What feeds and speeds for a 1/4" downcut end mill on a hobby-ultralight CNC router?
Published manufacturer data (High Country Tools) gives a chip load of 0.00075–0.00184 in per tooth and a feed of 25.2–60.4 IPM (18 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

What feeds and speeds for a 1/4" downcut end mill on a hobby-light CNC router?
Published manufacturer data (High Country Tools, Sienci Labs) gives a chip load of 0.00112–0.00359 in per tooth and a feed of 35.9–114 IPM (21 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

What feeds and speeds for a 1/4" downcut end mill on a hobby-rigid CNC router?
Published manufacturer data (High Country Tools) gives a chip load of 0.0016–0.00408 in per tooth and a feed of 51.3–162.9 IPM (19 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

What feeds and speeds for a 1/4" downcut end mill on a business CNC router?
Published manufacturer data (High Country Tools) gives a chip load of 0.00225–0.00572 in per tooth and a feed of 71.9–228 IPM (19 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

What feeds and speeds for a 1/4" downcut end mill on a industrial CNC router?
Published manufacturer data (High Country Tools) gives a chip load of 0.00273–0.00694 in per tooth and a feed of 87.3–276.9 IPM (19 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

downcut end mill profile illustration1/4" downcut end mill feeds and speeds

FAQ

1/4" downcut end mill feeds and speeds