Burrs are a rotary analog to files that cut linearly (hence their alternate name, rotary files).

They
are also in many ways comparable to endmills and to router bits; a distinction is that the latter
usually have their toolpath controlled by the machine, whereas burrs are often used freehand.
However, there is substantial overlap in the use and toolpath control of these various classes of
cutters, and in the outcomes accomplished with them. For example, endmills can be used
in routers, and burrs can be used like endmills in milling by CNC or manual machine tools. In
fact, burrs (the tools) are often used in CNC machining centers for removing burrs (the small
flakes of metal) after a machining process.
To maintain the correct surface speed and cutting conditions, burrs are rotated at high speed
(thousands or tens of thousands of RPM; often the top speed available on a given spindle). The
cutters shown in the image are made from tungsten carbide, which allows them to operate at
higher speeds than similar HSS cutters, yet still maintain their cutting edges.
Because the cutting edges of burrs are so small, they can often be touched when spinning by a