What Is Plunge Milling?

Have you got a tough job ahead, either because your machine is too lightweight or because of challenging geometry on the part (deep pockets, for example)? If so, maybe plunge milling (also called plunge roughing) is the answer.

This article was originally published in 2016 with only 8 ways to locate Part Zero and has been hugely popular ever since. I’ve updated it with several new methods.

End mills feature many different dimensions that can be listed in a tool description. It's important to understand how each dimension can impact tool selection, and how even small choices can make all the difference when the tool is in motion.

Why are some end mills so much more expensive than others, and are they worth the cost? Every machinist must have wondered about this question at some point.  Many develop fierce loyalties to the brand that has worked for them.

Charlie Brumfield was an old-school Dungeons and Dragons player looking for a gift for some of his gaming buddies when he decided to start up Artisan Dice. “Within 48 hours I found myself in the dice-making business,” Brumfield says. “Our first day in business I built a website, put it up Sunday night, and by 6:00 AM Monday morning we had $1700 in sales. It’s been rockin’ and rollin’ ever since.”

When it comes to machining, there are always a bunch of ways to do the same cut. Ask five machinists how to do a specific operation, and you’re bound to get eight different answers. Face milling is no different.