When using small end mills like 1/8” or 1/16” is there any benefit to paying extra for the 1/4” shank or would I be money ahead and just get the 1/8” collet and buy much cheaper 1/8” shank end mills? Seems like an obvious answer I just want to make sure before I throw $30 at a new collet.
Depends a bit on what you’re doing but I’d definitely get the collet. The 1/8" single flute cutters are so much cheaper and better than anything else that I think it should just be considered a necessary upgrade.
I suspect in the long run it’d work out cheaper overall to use them, as well.
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The extra shank does make it cool faster and break less often. The bit cutting edge always dulls first for me. So I would rather pick a high quality 1/8" shank than a lower quality 1/4" shank for the same price.
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If the shank is the same size as the cutter, you can cut deeper than the flute length
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