Utilizing Carbide Burrs
Posted by MirMS Admin on
When it comes to metal fabrication, carbide burrs are important. From cutting to shaping, grinding, and elimination of sharp burrs, edges, and excess materials, the roles of carbide burrs in metal fabrication cannot be underestimated. In this piece, we’ll be taking a brief look at the facts about carbide burrs and how to make the most of them.
Let’s light it out:
Carbide Burrs Can be Used on Numerous Materials
One of the benefits of carbide burrs in metal fabrication is their suitability on a wide range of materials, from plastics to Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GRP), fiberglass, and acrylics. Similarly, carbide burrs can also be used on carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CRP) and metals such as steel, iron, and aluminum.
Ideally, carbide burrs also functional on soft metals, including gold, silver, and plastic. This is because they can work for a long time on these materials without chipping or breaking. Other metals that carbide burrs can also work on include zinc, titanium, cobalt, and more.
And here comes the question. What are carbide burrs used in?
Carbide burrs are commonly used in air tools such as die grinders, pneumatic rotary tools, and high-speed engravers. Other tools include flexible shafts, micro motors, and pendant drills.
Now, you might wonder about the real areas where carbide burrs can be applied
Generally, carbide burrs can be applied in a wide range of industrial projects that requires metal fabrication. Some of the industries where carbide burrs are mostly used include aerospace, dental, metal-smith, locksmith, automobile, manufacturing, and many more.
What is the exact use of carbide burrs in these industries? Simply put, carbide burrs are mostly used in grinding, cylinder head porting, chamfering. Other tasks that could require the use of carbide burrs in these industries include tool making, wood carving, welding, sculpting, model engineering, and other metal related projects.
Carbide Burrs are Mostly Available in Different Cuts
When it comes to efficiency and effectiveness, carbide burrs have been manufactured and designed in two different cuts. While the first is the single cut, the second is named double or diamond cut.
When the appropriate spiral flute is put in place, the Single cut carbide burrs have been manufactured to make them function optimally. Also known as one flute, the single-cut carbide burrs remove these edges, burrs, or materials quickly, leaving a clean and smooth finishing. Basically, the single-cut carbide burrs are bested used on materials such as stainless steel, copper, cast iron, hardened steel, and ferrous metals. In terms of suitability, single-cut carbide burrs are most suitable for heavy stock removal, deburring and milling.
The double-cut carbide burrs, on the other hand, are also referred to as the diamond cut or cross-cut. This is as a result of the 2 flutes cut that is attached to it across each other. Practically, these two cuts are useful and functional on all non-metal materials. These include ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, woods, aluminum, and soft steel. The mode of operation of the double-cut carbide burrs is simple.
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While cutting away the materials, they produce small chips, leaving a cleaner and smoother finish compared to the single cut. In terms of suitability, they are used for deburring, medium-light stock removal, finishing, and cleaning.
Use Your Carbide Burrs with the Right RPM or Speed
When using your carbide burrs, there is a need to be mindful of the speed or RPM. Of course, the materials you have solely determines the speed and RPM you’ll use your carbide burrs. Apart from that, you should also consider the contour that is being produced. However, you shouldn’t exceed the speeds of 35,000 RPM.
If you observe that the burrs are chipping easily, it might result from the low speed. However, the best is to start cutting from low speed and then increase the speed as you proceed with the cutting. High speeds help to prevent the flute of your carbide burrs from clogging.
Here are the recommended approximate speed for your carbide burrs:
| Diameter of the Burrs | RPM |
| 1.6mm or 1/16" | 25,000 - 35,000 |
| 35mm or 3/32" | 17,000 - 26,000 |
| 3mm or 1/8" | 17,000 - 26,000 |
| 6mm or 1/4" | 11,000 - 16,500 |
| 12mm or 1/2" | 8,000 - 12,000 |
| 16mm or 5/8" | 7,650 - 11,500 |
Do Not Apply Pressure
When it comes to metal fabrication with carbide burrs, pressure should be absolutely minimal. As with all the burrs and drill bits, allow the burr to do its work. You only need to apply a little pressure. Otherwise, the cutting edge of the flute will chip away or become too quickly, cutting short the life of your carbide burrs.
There you have it! Perhaps the best ways to make the most of your carbide burrs. If you are able to follow these guide religiously, you’ll make the most of your carbide burrs.
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