Get Maximum Bit life and Performance With Your Premium Tri Tool Bits

Your purchase of high quality Tri Tool bits is the first step to ensuring that you produce excellent machining results each and every time. In addition to well-crafted bits, the manner and techniques of the use of the bits can make a significant difference. Factors such as surface cutting speed and feed pressure can greatly affect cutting results.


The following guidelines will get you off to a great start.

Primary Criteria	For stainless steels in general when no coolant is allowed. For all heavy-wall tube and some chrome/molybdenum steels.	Mild steels and some thin-wall stainless steels when coolants are permitted and applied.	Thin-wall mild steel and tube with coolants. Aluminum.
Surface travel per minute	200 in.	250 in.	300 in.
Surface travel per minute (Metric)	508 cm	635 cm	762 cm

Basic Feed Recommendations

Developing experienced tactile feed pressure awareness is something that assists all machine
operators in “feeling the cut” intuitively. The feel, appearance and sounds that occur during cutting are all good indicators to help in determining an optimal feed rate.

You should have a full clear bit path before starting the cut, without contact with the work. Start with a light pressure until a continuous cut is established. This is very important for long bit life when machining an interrupted end as an irregular flame-cut, or out-of-square tube or pipe end.

Typically, a depth of cut of .003” to .006” (.08 mm to .15 mm) per revolution is ideal to establish a continuous cutting chip. It is best to remember:

If the feed is too LIGHT, only light stringer chips will be removed.

If the feed is too HEAVY, the drive will start to overload (the chip will have a rough or torn look).

Metals including Stainless can “work harden” from the heat and friction of cutting. It is important to use enough feed pressure to stay under the work-hardened surface where the metal is softer. Also, never allow the bit to burnish the surface, which adds to the difficulty of the cut. 
 
If you notice a chatter sound, reducing the feed travel speed will usually correct this problem.
 
A good rule of thumb is to try and generate chips that are .0025” (.064 mm) thick per revolution. Actual measurements will indicate a pseudo thickness of .006” (.15 mm) unless a pin micrometer is used for measuring. Also, be aware of the distance that the feed handle or feed mechanism advances the bit per revolution. 
 
For additional assistance in achieving maximum performance from your cutting bits, please call your Tri Tool technical sales representative at (800)345-5015 or (916)288-6100.