I don't know where to post this, so I'm trying here.

Looking for an indexable milling cutter.

My requirements are needs center cutting, and .5" size.

Anyone ever use one?

check out DA milling system from http://www.hornusa.com/products/milling/
The PH Horn grooving tools are the best.

I found them to be much better tooling for me.

I couldn't find a center cutting one from them.

http://www.hornusa.com/uploads/media/INFO9_11DE_DG_02.pdf

I did find these replaceable ends, not indexable. Ill look in the catalog tomorrow

Those look more expensive than a standard endmill!

I have a ihcnc mill (rf45) no toolchanger. I design my parts (aluminum) to work with one cutter when possible. I use the endmill for a lot of drilling operations when I can. It's been driving me crazy when I ding a corner of my standard carbide endmills.

I'm still learning and know this will continue to happen for awhile.

I also know that finish may suffer a bit going indexable.

Jonny, the only indexible endmills you'll be able to find at .5" and smaller usually only use one insert, I don't think they would work well for you. Most serious CNC shops don't move to an indexible endmill until they need 3/4" size or bigger, except for face milling.

For aluminum a 3 flute solid carbide endmill would be your best bet, I get good results with the ones from www.maritool.com .

Also, particularly on smaller machines, a 1/2" endmill is pretty big, you likely don't have the HP to make full use of that and carbide endmills don't last as long when they aren't run in their best range for their size. I'd stay at 3/8" or smaller when you can, with the added benefit that these endmills are cheaper.

You shouldn't be having problems with nicking the corners, are your speeds and feeds set correctly and are the chips get cleared?

Re-cutting of chips is something that will kill a carbide endmill.

Good luck-

Paul T.
www.power-t.com

Those look more expensive than a standard endmill!

I have a ihcnc mill (rf45) no toolchanger. I design my parts (aluminum) to work with one cutter when possible. I use the endmill for a lot of drilling operations when I can. It's been driving me crazy when I ding a corner of my standard carbide endmills.

I'm still learning and know this will continue to happen for awhile.

I also know that finish may suffer a bit going indexable.

I question why you bother with carbide for a '45.  The spindle speed is so low, you really can't get any benefit from carbide.  You'll get the same removal rate, and longer tool life (for less money), using HSS.  If you're using it right, a single HSS tool will last a loooooong time.  Though straight plunges are murder on ANY tool, and probably is why you're breaking so many corners.

Regards,
Ray L.