Nominal Tutorial Cutting Speeds and Feeds

Drill Diameter (mm)

Cutting Speed
Material 6 12 18 25
(m/min)
Cutting Feed (mm/rev)
Aluminium 195 - 390 0.30 0.40 0.61 0.81
Brass 60 - 75 0.20 0.25 0.41 0.51
Cast Iron 25 - 35 0.13 0.18 0.25 0.31
Mild Steel 30 - 36 0.20 0.25 0.41 0.51
Stainless Steel 6 - 15 0.13 0.18 0.25 0.31
Plastics 20 - 75 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25

Table 1 - High Speed Steel Drilling Feeds and Speeds

Note:
• Interpolate the intermediate cutting feeds for in-between drill sizes - not normal practice but acceptable for
these tutorials if needed.

Depth of Cut (mm)

Material Feed (mm/rev) Cutting Speed (m/min)
Roughing Finishing
Aluminium 0.10 60 - 150 4-5 0.1 - 0.5
Brass 0.38 45 - 120 4-5 0.1 - 0.5
Cast Iron 0.25 22 - 30 3-4 1-2
Mild Steel 0.25 25 - 45 3-4 0.1 - 0.5
Stainless Steel 0.38 9 - 18 2-4 0.1 - 0.2
Plastics 0.10 9 - 120 2-6 0.5 - 1

Table 2 - High Speed Steel Turning Feeds and Speeds

Note:
• Cutting speeds can be increased 3 - 6 times for carbide tipped tooling.
• When taking a finishing cut the speed can be increased and feed slowed down. For the purposes of this exercise
we will assume the same feed and speed for roughing and finishing.

Material Feed (mm/tooth) Cutting Speed (m/min)

Aluminium 0.13 - 0.76 60 - 150
Brass 0.25 - 0.76 60 - 150
Cast Iron 0.13 - 0.63 15 - 30
Mild Steel 0.25 - 0.63 25 - 35
Stainless Steel 0.10 - 0.38 9 - 20
Plastics 0.25 - 0.80 20 - 160

Table 3 - High Speed Steel Milling Feeds and Speeds

Note:
• Decrease speeds by 40% for 'side and face' milling or 'end milling/slot milling' and 60% for form milling.
• Recommended depths of cut for end milling/slot milling are a maximum of half the cutter diameter for
roughing (usually for aluminium so proportion down for other materials) and 0.1mm - 0.5mm for finishing.
• For face milling, as a rough guide, half the tooth depth.