sharpening end mills?

RWL said:

benmychree, thanks. Those few sentences were very helpful. I'm not sure if I can recognize the bright line you're speaking of on the cutting edges, but I'll look for it. Very helpful to know that you're using a hard wheel to do the gashing. I knew those K hardness wheels would come in handy for something some day. Always interested in any more tidbits about sharpening you can think of. Thanks again.

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What I am refering to is the dulling of the cutting edge where the OD or end and the flank of the tooth meet; it should be a perfectly sharp edge, but when dull that edge wears away or breaks dowm and the sharp edge is not to be seen, instead it can look shiny bright.
I might also mention that I have an air bearing Weldon fixture and also a plain bearing Weldon fixture that I would like to sell.
John

benmychree said:

What I am refering to is the dulling of the cutting edge where the OD or end and the flank of the tooth meet; it should be a perfectly sharp edge, but when dull that edge wears away or breaks dowm and the sharp edge is not to be seen, instead it can look shiny bright.
I might also mention that I have an air bearing Weldon fixture and also a plain bearing Weldon fixture that I would like to sell.
John

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I think I can see what you're talking about. I had noticed the rounding at the points on very dull end mills before, but I never noticed that you can see a bright line at the cutting edge when they're dull. I think the photos below show that. I can see it more easily on the ends, as on the right. I could see it along the flutes, but it's not as easy to see there. To see either line, the light has to be just right / the end mill rotated just right to catch that reflection.

I had decided to start a new thread for the comments I intend to make but cannot find where one can be started. Please can someone point me in the right direction for future use, thanks.

As this thread deals with sharpening the end cutting edges of end mills I think perhaps that some will be interested in a video I have made public showing a simple device that can be made to make it easily possible.

A link to the video can be found on my website here http://www.homews.co.uk/page121.html

Anyone who is not aware of my videos the address showing those presently available (there are still about 15 to come) view the index at http://www.homews.co.uk/page617a.html

Should anyone like to be informed of videos as they are published, go to my correspondence page
http://www.homews.co.uk/page6.html and ask to be added to my mailing list.

Harold Hall

benmychree said:

What I am refering to is the dulling of the cutting edge where the OD or end and the flank of the tooth meet; it should be a perfectly sharp edge, but when dull that edge wears away or breaks dowm and the sharp edge is not to be seen, instead it can look shiny bright.
I might also mention that I have an air bearing Weldon fixture and also a plain bearing Weldon fixture that I would like to sell.
John

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Send me prices please. Trapshot_100@yahoo.com

SE18 said:

sO digesting all this info for a beginner, I'm thinking if a 2 flutter needs sharpening, and you never done it, probably best not to grind, but maybe grab a honing stone and if it's not too worn, just dress it up a bit

i noticed once you get something on a bench grinder, you gotta know what you're doin b/c things happen fast

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Some folks have questioned the economics of re sharpening but I have used Brian Gruschow for re doing end mills. His rates last time I used him were about 3-4 dollars. Well worth the price. Excellent work and service.

I put together a set up to do end mills. I built the air bearing and sharpening end mills is a piece of cake well worth the effort to do. I've done my own and some for a local hobby person. To even attempt to touch up by hand I find highly unlikely. I've been in the trade one way or another for going on 43 years 25 in a tool and die shop.
Here is a short video this was done before building a grinding spindle for sharpening with a CBN wheel.