Speeds and Feeds

Cutting Speed (for milling) is defined as “the rate at which a point on the cutting edge passes by
a point on the workpiece in a given period of time”.

Cutting Speed (for the lathe) is defined as “the rate at which a point on the workpiece passes
by the cutting edge in a given period of time”.

Cutting speeds for other machining operations (Examples are: Sawing, Drilling, Filing, Broaching
and Shaping) may be variations of these that fit a particular machine that is used, however “in
all cases cutting speed is essentially the relative velocity between a point on the cutting edge
and an adjacent point on the workpiece”.

In the formula RPM= (C.S x 4) / D, the D represents the diameter at the point where the
cutting edge meets the work This is true whether the work piece is rotating, as in the lathe, or
the rotating cutter in milling machines and drill presses. Cutting speeds (C.S.) can be found on
charts and tables throughout industry, but the charts usually represent a starting point that
must be adjusted for each particular case. Generally, the cutting speed can be increased when
using lighter feed rates or reduced depths of cut. Since the lathe uses a single point tool, the
feed rates for the lathe are given in thousandths of an inch per revolution, In this case, the
thickness of the chip is approximately equal to the feed per revolution, depending on the "lead
angle" of the cutting edge. This chip thickness Is sometimes referred to as “chip load."

Feed Rate is defined as “the rate at which the workpiece advances into the cutter or the cutter
is advanced into the workpiece”.

When we begin using the milling machine, the type of cutter that is used can vary
considerably and have any number of cutting edges. For this reason, the formula for calculating
the feed rate when milling is IPM=F x N x RPM, where IPM is inches per minute, F is feed per
tooth or ",chip load", N is the number of teeth on the cutter and RPM is revolutions per minute.
You see that it is necessary to know the RPM before you can calculate the feed rate. The other
variable in the formula that is not obvious is the "chip load" which is usually given on a chart and
varies with the size of the cutter. It is usually not advisable to use too small of a chip load, as this
causes excessive wear on the cutter and wastes valuable time. This is especially true of materials
that tend to "work harden." Stainless steel is a good example of a material that will harden if the
cutter isn't continuously feeding. On very light feed rates the cutter tends to rub until it builds
up enough pressure to bread through the surface, however the surface may begin to harden
before this happens and it becomes a vicious cycle that ruins the cutting edge and possibly the
work piece. For this reason it is advisable to reduce the cutting speed (RPM) and increase the
feed rate enough to make a continuous chip yet not overheat the tool. It is false economy to run
the spindle too fast if the material is hard-the time saved is soon lost resharpening tools.
 As a rule, softer materials have higher cutting speeds than harder materials, although
there are other factors that can affect C.S. Cast iron is an exam|:: le of material that is relatively
soft, but has slower recommended cutting speeds. Cast iron is very abrasive and tends to wear
tools quickly, so deeper cuts and slower speeds tend to prolong tool life. If there is a question as
to the proper cutting speed, always start slow and build up, remember that slow speeds with
deeper cuts can be as effective as fast speeds with a smaller depth of cut.

Cutting Speeds for ALL machine tools

RPM= (SFM x 4) / Diameter of the rotating item (cutter or work)

Table 1: Surface Feet per Minute (SFM)

Tool Material

Work Material High Speed Steel Uncoated Carbide Coated Carbide

Aluminum 300 - 800 700 - 1400

Bronze 65 - 130 500 - 700

Gray Cast Iron 50 - 80 250 - 450 350 - 500

Low Carbon Steel 60 - 100 250 - 350 500 - 900

Alloy Steel 40 - 70 175 - 300 350 - 600

Tool Steel 40 - 70 125 - 250 250 - 500

Stainless Steel
200 & 300 series 30 - 80 100 - 250 400 - 650
400 & 500 series 250 - 350
Non-metallics
(Plastic, Wood etc.) 150 - 300 400 - 600

Super Alloys 70 - 100 90 - 150

Cutting Feeds for Milling
Feed= RPM x Number of Teeth x FPT

Table 2: Feed Per Tooth (FPT) for Endmills (in inches)

Cutter Cast Low High Stainless Medium

Diameter Aluminum Brass Bronze Iron Carbon Carbon Steel Alloy
Steel Steel Steel
.125 .002 .001 .0005 .0005 .0005 .0005 .0005 .0005
.250 .002 .002 .001 .001 .001 .001 .001 .0005
.375 .003 .003 .002 .002 .002 .002 .002 .001
.500 .005 .002 .003 .0025 .002 .002 .002 .001
.750 .006 .004 .003 .003 .004 .003 .003 .002
1.00 .007 .005 .004 .0035 .005 .003 .004 .003
1.50 .008 .005 .005 .004 .006 .004 .004 .003
2.00 .009 .006 .005 .005 .007 .004 .005 .003

Table 3: Turning Feeds (Inches per Revolution, IPR)

Cast Low High Stainless Medium

Operation Aluminum Brass Bronze Iron Carbon Carbon Steel Alloy
Steel Steel Steel
Roughing .015 -.030 .010 - ,010 - ,010 - ,010 - .005 - ,010 -
.020 .020 .020 .020 .010 .020
Finishing .005 - .010 .003 - .003 - .003 - .003 - .001 - .003 -
.010 .010 .005 .005 .004 .005

Table 4: Drilling Feeds (IPR) Table 5: Counterboring Feeds (IPR)

Drill Size Inches per Counterbore Inches per

Revolution Size Revolution
< .125 .001 - .002 < .375 .001 - .004
.125 - .250 ,002 - .004 .375 - .625 .004 - .005
.250 - .500 .004 - .007 .625 - .875 .005 - .006
.500 – 1.00 .007 - .015 .875 – 1.25 .006 - .007
> 1.00 .015 > 1.25 .007 - .008
Table 6: Reamer Allowance

Reamer Size Allowance

(inches)
1/32 – 1/8 .003 - .006
1/8 – 1/4 .005 - .009
1/4 - 3/8 .007 - .012
3/8 – 1/2 .010 - .015
1/2 - 3/4 1/64 – 1/32
3/4 - 1 1/32