by Bernard Martin

You’ve probably opened a drawer, reached for a drill, and thought, “Where is that size #7 drill so I can tap this 1/4-20?” If you’ve ever cursed at a disorganized pile of drill bits or spent a minute too many feeling for the right size by touch alone, then you already understand the value of a good drill index. But where did this simple shop tool come from? The answer goes all the way back to 1930, and it’s a piece of shop history that you may not be aware..

The First Indexed Drill Cabinet — A Smart Idea Nearly a Century Old
Back in 1930, an inventor named Eugene F. Huot from St. Paul, Minnesota, filed a patent for what he called an “indexed drill cabinet.” This was a big change in direction for the inventor who's first patent applicaiton was a for a Fish Scaler in 1927. It would change history and create the legacy that Huot Munufacturing carries on to this day.  That very first drill index patent was granted on October 17, 1933 as US Patent 1930617A. The goal was straightforward: make it easy for machinists and woodworkers to store and quickly find the drill they needed instead of rummaging through a loose stack of bits.  The patent opened with a simple mission...

"The chief object of this invention is to provide an indexed drill cabinet of convenient size for storing drills and adapted to facilitate the quick selection and removal of the desired drill."

You can almost hear the old machinist saying, “Put it back where it belongs, will ya?” just by reading the patent. The core idea was to turn drill storage from guessing and fumbling into an organized, efficient process — a purpose that hasn’t changed in nearly a century.

What Made the Original Drill Index Different
The genius of this early design is its focus on visibility, accessibility, and accountability. Huot specifically designed the holders so that:

• The drills stood upright and separated, ready to grab without sorting.
• Drills were grouped by size and tilted out of the way when not in use, making selection intuitive.
• The cabinet was small enough to fit right in your tool chest, not clutter up the bench.

That combination of rugged simplicity and clarity was an immediate hit with people who work with drills every day.

By the late 1940's Huot continued to develop new products and new patents.  Here's a great insight form his 1951 Patent US2564601A into what he was thinking:

"A workman having a set of drills often loses these drills by leaving them lying about in ldifferent places in the shop. It is desirable to have a drill holder comprising a casing or cabinet in which a plurality of drill-holding members are mounted, said casing or cabinet being of a size which can be placed in the workmans tool box or his locker and locked up whilev not in use."

From the Patent to Today’s Huot Drill Indexes
The drill index didn’t stay a curiosity — it became a reference point. Modern Huot drill indexes and dispensers take that same concept and refine it for the way shops run today. 

Modern Huot indexes:

• Come in fractional, letter, and metric sizes so you have exactly what you need for your work.
• Feature clearly marked holes that reflect the same indexed clarity Huot envisioned in the 1930s.
• Use heavy-gauge steel and durable finishes built to survive shop floors, not just sit in a drawer.
• Include options like drawer-style dispensers or stackable units that let you scale storage with your tooling inventory.

It’s not uncommon to see old Huot indexes from the 1930s pop up decades later, still intact and still usable, because the core idea was sound from the beginning.

by Bernard Martin

Everede Tool Company has been around a long time, and if you’ve ever run their boring bars or specialty tooling, you already know the quaility of their work. Their custom tooling program is built for shops that deal with tight features, deep bores, awkward geometries, or parts that don’t play nicely with catalog tools.
The Custom Solution Program exists for one simple reason — sometimes the tool you actually need doesn’t exist on a shelf.

Custom Tooling: It Starts With Your Part
Everede approaches custom tooling by working directly from the part print and the machining process required to produce it. Shops typically start by providing a drawing, model, or sample part. From there, Everede’s engineering team evaluates feature geometry, required tolerances, material, and machine constraints before any tool design work begins.

This part-first approach keeps the tooling design aligned with how the cut will actually be made. Reach, diameter, insert orientation, clearance, and chip evacuation are considered together so the tool runs predictably in production.

Modified Standard Tools When the Platform Is Close
Many custom projects begin with an existing Everede tool platform. Boring bars, counterbores, chamfer tools, and specialty cutters can be adjusted to match specific feature requirements. Typical changes include overall length, cutting diameter, insert pocket geometry, lead angles, and relief.

Coolant delivery and chip flow are often addressed during this stage, especially for deep bores or interrupted cuts. These modifications allow shops to stay within familiar tooling formats while improving stability and consistency at the cut.

Purpose-Built Tools for Difficult Features
When a modified standard tool cannot support the application, Everede designs purpose-built tooling around the feature itself. These tools are engineered to machine specific profiles, stepped diameters, back-side features, or blended operations that would otherwise require multiple tools.

Purpose-built tools reduce setup time, eliminate tool changes, and improve repeatability on complex parts. For shops running tight tolerances or high mix work, this often simplifies both programming and inspection.

Insert Geometry Matched to the Operation
Custom tooling frequently requires insert geometries that are not available as off-the-shelf options. Everede designs inserts to match the cutting path, material, and surface finish requirements of the part. Insert shape, edge preparation, and coating selection are developed together to support stable cutting and consistent tool life.

Material options include coated carbide as well as PCD and CBN for abrasive materials or high-volume production. Inserts are designed as part of the complete tool system rather than treated as a separate component.

Engineering Support That Fits Your Timelines
Once requirements are defined, Everede provides clear drawings for approval before manufacturing begins. This keeps expectations aligned and minimizes revisions after the tool is built. The process is structured to move efficiently from concept to production without unnecessary back-and-forth.

Lead times are managed with your shop schedule in mind, allowing custom tools to be introduced without disrupting existing workflows.

Where Custom Tools Make a Difference
Custom tooling delivers value when standard tools reach their limits. Shops typically see improvements in cycle time, surface finish, tool life, and process consistency. Consolidating multiple operations into a single tool often reduces offsets, simplifies programming, and improves repeatability across machines and shifts.

Everede’s Custom Solution Program gives shops a practical way to address these challenges with tooling designed around real machining conditions.

If you’re dealing with features that push beyond standard tooling, Factory Tooling Solutions can help you evaluate whether a custom Everede solution makes sense for your application. The FTS team works directly with Everede’s engineers to translate part requirements into practical tooling that runs reliably on your machines. Reach out to Factory Tooling Solutions to review your print, discuss the process, and determine the right next step.

by Bernard Martin

If you’ve ever had a part where the back side needs a clean spotface or counterbore and you don’t want to flip it over, that’s exactly what the BSF tool from Heule Tool is built for. It lets you machine the back side of the part through an existing hole, in one cycle, from one side.

The BSF runs through a drilled hole with the cutting blade pulled in. Nothing is cutting on the way in. Once the tool reaches depth, the blade opens up and cuts the spotface or counterbore on the back side of the part.

When the cut is finished, the blade pulls back in and the tool comes out the same hole it went in.
That motion is controlled mechanically, so the blade opens and closes at the same point every time. You don’t have to babysit it or worry about it hanging up inside the part.

Blade Activation Options
How the blade opens depends on what your machine can support.

• On machines with through-spindle coolant, coolant pressure is used to push the blade out and pull it back in. That same coolant helps move chips away from the cut.
  
• If you don’t have through-coolant, there are air-activated versions that use shop air instead.
• There’s also a mechanically actuated version for machines that don’t have either option. 

The cutting action is the same in all cases. The activation method just matches the tool to your machine.

What It Can Cut
The BSF can machine a back spotface or counterbore that’s much larger than the hole it passes through. In most cases, you’re looking at a finished diameter more than twice the size of the entry bore.  The cutting blades are replaceable carbide, so when the edge wears out, you change the blade instead of the whole tool. That keeps size consistent and keeps tooling costs under control.

The biggest win is avoiding a second setup. You’re not flipping the part. You’re not re-indicating it. You’re not trying to hit the same bore location again from the other side.

Everything stays in one setup, so the back spotface stays concentric to the hole that was drilled. Cycle time drops, handling drops, and repeatability improves.

This tool shows up a lot on aerospace parts, hydraulic components, housings, and structural parts where bolts or fasteners seat on the far side of a wall. Any time you need a clean, flat surface on the back side of a hole and access is limited, this tool solves the problem without making the job more complicated than it needs to be.

by Bernard Martin

If you’ve ever hesitated to switch from solid reamers to a replaceable-head system due to accuracy concerns, the MAPAL HPR series was built to address your issue. It’s designed to give you the same level of bore quality you expect from a monolithic reamer, with the added benefit of faster changeovers and lower long-term tooling costs.

At the heart of the HPR system is MAPAL’s precision head-to-body interface, which is engineered to control radial runout extremely tightly. That means you can swap a head on the machine and still hold your bore size and position without chasing offsets or second-guessing the setup. Once it’s dialed in, it stays consistent from part to part and batch to batch.

The HPR platform covers nominal diameters from Ø8 mm up to Ø65 mm, with replaceable heads available in 0.10 mm diameter increments and stocked preferred sizes aligned to ISO H7 tolerance classes. In practice, that allows one tool body to support multiple adjacent bore sizes within a job family while still holding finished bore tolerances in the single-digit micron range.

MAPAL specifies radial runout at the cutting edges of ≤ 3 µm after head change, placing the HPR system squarely in solid-reamer territory from an accuracy standpoint.

For process flexibility, the HPR range includes both fixed-head versions for maximum rigidity and finely adjustable heads with a diameter adjustment range of ±0.02 mm, allowing size correction directly at the tool without regrinding or replacing the head prematurely. This adjustability is particularly useful when compensating for wear, thermal drift, or material variation, and it reduces offset chasing while extending usable head life. The result is predictable size control across long production runs without adding complexity to setup, tool presetting, or floor-level tool management.

Cutting material and coating options are where the system really starts to shine across different materials. Whether you’re running steels, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel or exotic alloys, the available carbide, cermet, PcBN, and PCD heads allow you to match the tool to the job instead of forcing one reamer to do everything. The coatings are designed for heat control and wear resistance, which translates directly into predictable tool life rather than surprise failures.

Coolant delivery is handled internally and directed right to the cutting edges. That helps with chip evacuation, keeps heat under control, and supports both flood coolant and MQL strategies. In deeper bores or tougher materials, this becomes a real advantage, especially when you’re trying to maintain surface finish without backing off feeds and speeds.

The biggest advantage of the MAPAL HPR system is how it changes your cost structure. When a cutting edge is worn, you’re replacing the head instead of the entire tool. That reduces spend, simplifies inventory, and shortens recovery time when a tool reaches the end of its life. Over the course of a production run, that adds up quickly.

HPR defines the upper end of precision within MAPAL s replaceable-head reaming systems.. It’s built for shops that demand precision first, but still want the flexibility and economic advantages that come with modular tooling. In an upcoming article, the CPR series will make a good contrast by showing how MAPAL approaches cost-optimized reaming for high-volume work—but HPR is where precision sets the benchmark.

by Bernard Martin

Anyone who has spent time boring holes already knows the rules. You pick the bar based upon lenght to diameter ratios, depth, material, and tolerance before the tool ever gets near the spindle. And that's the mindset Canela designs their boring bars around.

Canela boring bars are built for internal turning, boring, and facing jobs/ When you’re holding size inside a bore, the bar has to behave exactly the way you expect, especially as reach increases.

The standard steel boring bars cover diameters from 8 mm to 50 mm, or roughly 0.315" to 2.000", with overall lengths up to 400 mm (~15.75"). For most day-to-day work, these bars are designed to run comfortably in the common 4:1 to 6:1 length-to-diameter range. That’s the sweet spot where rigidity is predictable and surface finish stays under control without slowing the process down.

When the print requires reach beyond what a steel bar can realistically support, Canela offers heavy metal boring bars manufactured from tungsten alloy. The higher density of tungsten increases the mass of the bar, which improves damping and reduces deflection as overhang increases. That added mass helps control vibration at longer L/D ratios, keeping the cutting edge stable and the bore on size. In deeper boring applications, where a steel bar starts to lose rigidity and starts to chatter, the heavy metal bar maintains consistent cutting behavior.

Material selection and heat treatment are handled with the same practical approach. The steel bars are manufactured from 42CrMo4, alloy steels, and through-hardened to approximately 38–42 HRC. That means rigidity without brittleness and a bar that holds up many many machine cycles.

Coolant-through options are available across much of the lineup, which becomes increasingly important as depth increases. Delivering coolant directly to the cutting edge improves chip evacuation, keeps heat from building up in the bore, and helps maintain consistent cutting conditions. For deep holes or tougher materials, that direct coolant path makes the process far more repeatable.

Canela organizes its boring bar lineup by insert orientation and clamping method, because those two factors directly control rigidity, insert security, and cutting behavior. Each style exists for a reason.

• Negative Boring Bars – Dimple Lock - These bars use negative, double-sided inserts secured with a dimple-style locking interface. The design provides repeatable insert positioning and solid seating under load. This style is typically chosen for general roughing and semi-roughing work where insert stability and consistent edge location matter more than low cutting pressure.
  
• Negative Boring Bars – Wedge Clamp (Double Lock) -Wedge clamp double-lock bars are built for higher cutting forces and more demanding conditions. The wedge system mechanically drives the insert into the pocket, improving clamping force and resistance to movement. These bars are well suited for heavier cuts, tougher materials, and interrupted bores where insert security is critical.
  
• Negative Boring Bars – Lever Lock - Lever lock designs focus on fast, positive insert retention with strong mechanical engagement. They’re often selected in production environments where repeatability and quick insert changes are important, while still maintaining the rigidity expected from a negative insert platform.
  
• Positive Boring Bars – Top Clamp - Positive top-clamp bars combine lower cutting forces with improved insert access. The top clamp provides additional security compared to a simple screw while keeping cutting pressure manageable. These bars are commonly used for semi-finishing and finishing operations, particularly in smaller bores or longer overhangs where stability benefits from reduced radial load.
  
• Positive Boring Bars – Center Screw - Center screw positive bars are the simplest and most compact configuration in the lineup. They prioritize low cutting forces and clean cutting action, making them a good choice for finishing work, lighter cuts, and applications where bore size or tool access is limited.
  
• Anti-Vibration Tools - For extended reach applications, Canela offers dedicated anti-vibration boring bars. These bars are designed to suppress chatter and control vibration when standard steel bars approach their practical limits. They’re intended for deeper bores and tighter tolerances where maintaining stability over long overhangs is non-negotiable.
  

Insert compatibility is where the Canela system really opens up. Depending on the bar style and clamping method, Canela boring bars are designed to accept a wide range of ISO insert shapes, including T, W, C, S, D, and V styles.

That gives you access to both positive and negative inserts, multiple corner angles, and a broad selection of chipbreaker and grade options. Whether the job calls for fine finishing, general boring, or heavier roughing cuts, you can select the insert geometry that best matches the material, depth of cut, and stability requirements instead of being forced into a single insert style.

When boring operations are approached the right way, these bars provide the rigidity, control, and consistency needed to hit size and finish without drama.

by Bernard Martin

If you spend any amount of time around CNC machines, you know setup efficiency has a direct impact on throughput. It doesn’t matter how fast the machine is or how optimized the toolpaths are — if setups are slow or inconsistent, that time comes straight out of productivity.  That’s where a zero-point workholding system like Jergens Zero Point System, ZPS, starts to make sense.

The ZPS system is designed to reduce setup time while maintaining high positioning accuracy and repeatability. It’s not a replacement for good fixturing practices; it’s a way to make those practices faster, more consistent, and easier to repeat across machines.

What the ZPS System Does
At a basic level, ZPS is a quick-change locating and clamping system. It allows fixtures, vises, pallets, or even parts themselves to be mounted and removed from a machine table in a single motion, without re-indicating each time.

Once the Jergens ZPS subplate modules are installed and indicated in, every fixture that mates to them returns to the same location with high repeatability. That means when a fixture comes off the machine and goes back on later — or moves to another machine set up the same way — it lands where you expect it to.

How It Works in Practice
The system is built around hardened locating subplate modules mounted to the machine table or pallet. Fixtures or plates are equipped with pull studs that engage those modules. When clamped, the modules pull the fixture down and center it simultaneously, locking it into position.

There’s also a flexibility advantage. Shops running a mix of parts, short runs, or multiple operations benefit from being able to change setups quickly without dedicating a machine to a single fixture for days at a time.

Where ZPS Makes the Most Sense
ZPS is commonly used on:

• Vertical and horizontal machining centers with frequent changeovers
• 4-axis and 5-axis machines where access and repeatability matter
• Palletized systems and cells running multiple fixtures
• Shops looking to standardize setups across multiple machines

In five-axis work especially, the ability to mount parts or fixtures directly to a low-profile plate improves tool access and reduces interference from traditional clamping hardware.

A More Predictable Setup Process
One of the less talked-about benefits of a zero-point system is predictability. When fixtures locate consistently, setup becomes a documented process rather than a variable one. That helps with scheduling, repeatability between operators, and confidence when jobs come back months later.

Instead of treating setup as a one-off task each time, ZPS allows shops to treat it as a controlled, repeatable operation — much like tool changes are handled in the spindle.

If setup time is something you track ZPS is worth a closer look as part of a broader workholding and process-standardization strategy.

by Bernard Martin

Some coolants show up with a lot of marketing noise and disappear a few years later. Others quietly earn their place and just keep running. S 500CF from Hangsterfer’s Metalworking Fluids falls into that second category.

This is not a “new formula” coolant, and that’s actually part of its strength. S 500CF is built on a mature, well-established soluble coolant chemistry that has been refined over decades of real-world machining. Long before water-soluble coolants became common in North American shops, this formulation approach was already being proven in demanding production environments.

When Hangsterfer’s expanded beyond straight cutting oils into soluble coolants, S 500 was one of their first coolant offering and soon there after the "chlorine free" or "CF" variant was developed. That foundation gave them a solid starting point—and it shows in how S 500CF performs today.

At its core, S 500CF is a chlorine-free, water-soluble coolant designed to be easy to live with on the shop floor. It’s non-corrosive, non-toxic, and operator friendly, which matters when machines are running multiple shifts and sumps stay charged for long periods. From a management standpoint, it simplifies coolant selection by covering a wide range of machining operations without needing multiple products for different machines.

Material flexibility is one of the reasons shops stick with it. Hangsterfer’s S 500CF performs consistently in aluminum, carbon and alloy steels, and stainless steels, and it holds up when you move into tougher materials like titanium, nickel-based alloys, and powdered metals. Whether you’re milling, turning, drilling, or tapping, it delivers reliable lubrication and cooling without constant tweaking.

Sump life is another area where this coolant quietly earns its keep. The formulation is stable, resists bacterial growth, and rejects tramp oil well. That means fewer odor issues, cleaner machines, and less time spent chasing coolant problems instead of making parts. For shops running central systems or machines that don’t get drained often, that stability becomes a real cost saver over time.

Day to day, S 500CF doesn’t demand much attention. Mix it correctly, monitor concentration with a refractometer, skim tramp oil, and it stays predictable. That predictability translates directly into consistent surface finish, better tool life, and fewer surprises when jobs change or materials rotate through the shop.

Hangsterfer’s reputation was originally built on straight cutting oils during World War II, where performance and reliability mattered more than marketing claims. That same mindset carries through in S 500CF. It’s a coolant designed to work, stay stable, and support machining operations without becoming a problem of its own.

For shops looking for a proven, high-performance soluble coolant that’s been tested by time rather than trends, Hangsterfer’s S 500CF remains a dependable option.  For more information on Hangesterfer's products get in touch with our team at Factory Tooling Solutions and we can help you with testing as well as on site tech support.

If you’re cutting parts for the aerospace industry, you already know the materials don’t give in easily. Whether it’s titanium, Inconel, composites, or heat-treated alloys, the challenge isn’t just about removing metal—it’s about doing it reliably, efficiently, and within the tight specs your customers demand. That’s where Greenleaf’s aerospace tooling lineup really shows its value.

The catalog below is a pretty comprehensive overview of solutions engineered specifically for aerospace applications. From solid carbide tools and indexable milling systems to ceramic inserts and high-performance coatings, every tool in the lineup is aimed at helping you handle tough materials with more confidence and consistency.

What stands out right away is Greenleaf’s focus on tool life and process stability. Their XSYTIN®-360 solid ceramic line is a great example—it’s built to handle high-speed, high-temperature machining of nickel-based superalloys, and it’s tough enough to extend tool life in the most demanding environments.

On the carbide side, the WSRPF end mills bring variable pitch geometry to the table to minimize chatter, with standard neck reliefs that allow you to get deep into pockets without tool interference—especially helpful when working on thin-walled or contoured aerospace features.

Indexable milling is just as strong. Tools like the FMRPF face mills provide the flexibility to transition between roughing and finishing operations, giving you more control over surface finish and tool life without having to constantly swap out holders. Whether you're roughing structural titanium or finishing composite skins, Greenleaf's indexable are designed to give you predictable performance and stable results.

When it comes to blisks and other turbomachinery parts, tool choice becomes even more critical. In nickel-based alloys, ceramics offer a clear advantage for rough slotting—especially when paired with round positive inserts, which help you move metal aggressively without sacrificing process security.

​For titanium-based blisks, where ceramics won’t cut it, the same insert style still applies, but in coated carbide. And for blades with tight curves where a straight slotting cutter won’t reach, Greenleaf’s custom curved slotting cutters give you a specialized, time-saving solution that can often replace more expensive multi-axis roughing setups.

Holemaking is another area where Greenleaf’s engineering shows up on the shop floor. Whether you're pushing coolant through drills to bore deep titanium spars or using custom step tools to get clean breakouts in stacked aerospace materials, you’ll find options here that cut cycle time while maintaining bore integrity. Their reamers are tuned for dimensional control and repeatability, even on thin-walled parts, and help prevent the kind of finish problems that show up later during final inspection.

For challenging groove and slot applications, Greenleaf’s Powerlock® Top Notch-style inserts are a smart pick. These are build-to-order, so you can dial in exactly what you need. They're especially useful for thin grooves in high-temp materials where tool deflection and vibration are a concern. Both full-nose and flat-nose geometries are available, with standard and custom widths depending on your part specs.

And when you're machining hard superalloys—think Inconel or Waspaloy--Greenleaf’s ceramic and cBN insertsbecome essential. These are made for high-speed turning or milling where you simply can’t afford inconsistent finishes or poor tool wear. Combined with Greenleaf’s high-performance coatings, these inserts offer the kind of heat resistance and tool longevity that help keep costs predictable and quality high.

Even if you're not running huge batches, there’s a lot to like here. Greenleaf’s combination drills and chamfer tools can help you reduce tool stations and program complexity, which means more spindle time and fewer interruptions for manual intervention.

If your shop is pushing the envelope in aerospace machining, this catalog offers a roadmap to improving productivity across your process. Whether you're focused on cycle time reduction, better surface finishes, or just trying to keep your machines running longer between tool changes, there’s something in here designed to move the needle.

The full catalog is embedded below so you can dive deeper. But if you're working with exotic materials, tight tolerances, and the kind of quality standards aerospace customers expect, and you want to take a closer look at what Greenleaf is offering, get in contact with our team here at Factory Tooling Solutions.
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Factory Tooling Solutions is excited to announce our return to the Wichita Industrial Trade Show 2025 (WITS), taking place October 21–23, 2025 at the Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas. As one of the largest regional manufacturing and machining trade shows in the Midwest, WITS 2025 brings together professionals from across the industrial, aerospace, agricultural, and energy sectors to explore the latest in machine tools, precision tooling, automation, workholding, and metalworking technology.

Held every other year since 1974, the Wichita Tool Show has built a strong reputation as a must-attend event for manufacturers, engineers, and industry leaders throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and surrounding states. Factory Tooling Solutions will be showcasing product innovations from all 19 of our world-class principals, giving attendees a hands-on look at the cutting tools, toolholding systems, workholding, and metalworking fluids that drive manufacturing efficiency and precision.

Our booth will feature a wide-ranging display of tooling innovations and solutions from all of the world-class principals we represent. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on with the latest products featured on our website and speak directly with the FTS team about your application challenges.

Explore the Full Factory Tooling Solutions Lineup
You’ll find product samples and technical displays from across our lineup, including:
​

• Boneham Metal Products (BMP) – Dowel pins, drill bushings, and custom precision components
• Carmex – Thread milling tools, DMT carbide, and laydown inserts
• Canela – Lathe holders, ISO boring bars, and turning tools
• Dümmel – Ultra Mini and Swiss Line micro-machining tools
• Everede – Specialty boring bars, indexable ANSI tools, and custom form tools
• Fullerton Tool – High-performance end mills like VMAC, Fury, and Aluma series
• Greenleaf – Advanced ceramic inserts and tooling for titanium and Inconel
• Hangsterfer’s Laboratories – High-performance coolants like 5080, Hardcut GTL, and S 500CF
• HEULE Tool – COFA, BSF, and other automated back chamfering and deburring tools
• Huot – ToolScoots, CNC tool storage systems, drill dispensers
• Jergens Workholding – Ball Lock, 5-Axis vises, tombstones, and quick-change fixturing
• MAPAL – Replaceable head reamers, QTD indexable drills, and PCD tooling
• Nine9 – Spot drills, chamfer mills, engraving and centering tools
• OMG – Right angle heads, speed increasers, and facing heads
• Rego-Fix – Powergrip, ER collets, and RE Cool coolant-through technology
• Riten Industries – Live centers, face drivers, and workholding support products
• Rocky Mountain Twist – Cobalt drills, threaded shank drills, and micro stop countersinks
• Superior Abrasives – Quick-change discs, flap wheels, and convolute finishing products
• Tanis Brush – Disc brushes, bore hone brushes, and abrasive filament tools

See What’s New – and What’s Next
If you’re looking to stay competitive in precision manufacturing, you won’t want to miss this event. Our team will be on-hand to guide you through tooling strategies, help identify cost-saving opportunities, and match your application with the right products.

Whether you’re optimizing for cycle time, surface finish, or material removal rates, FTS has the solutions to help you stay ahead.

We look forward to seeing you in Wichita this October!

If you’ve ever had to babysit an end mill through a cut, you know how frustrating it can be. Tool chatter. Poor chip evacuation. Margins burning up. Now your cycle time’s shot, and you’re standing there wondering if it’s the tool, the speeds, the setup—or all three.

That’s where the Fullerton Tool's Fury comes in. It’s not just another fancy-coated end mill that looks good in a catalog. This cutter was built to run fast, cut hard, and last long—especially in aggressive roughing and high-speed finishing applications.

What Sets the Fury Apart?
Fullerton calls it a high-performance solid carbide end mill, but here’s what that really means for your shop:

• Engineered Core Geometry – You’re getting a stronger core that resists deflection, even when you’re pushing it deep into the material. That means more stability, fewer tool changes, and better wall finish.
• Variable Helix & Index – No one wants to hear that awful harmonics scream. Fury’s variable helix and flute spacing break up the chatter before it starts. That’s good news for both your spindle and your surface finish.
• Coating Options That Work – Whether you’re ripping through alloy steel, titanium, or stainless, Fury offers coatings like AlTiN, ZrN, and nACRo to keep edge integrity intact and temps under control.
• Chip Control – Optimized flute design gives you consistent chip evacuation. That translates to less heat, less galling, and fewer surprises mid-cycle.

What Materials Does It Like?
We’ve seen shops run Fury end mills across a pretty wide range:

• Alloy & carbon steels
• Stainless (300/400 series)
• Titanium & high-temp alloys
• Tool steels & hardened materials
• Cast irons

It’s versatile—but not generic. If your shop runs short- to medium-run production, especially in aerospace, medical, or die/mold work, this cutter can be a workhorse in your holder.

Tool Life and Throughput Matter
Let’s be real: nobody’s switching to a new tool just because the box says “high performance.” It’s all about time on spindle and parts per edge. Shops running the Fury are reporting:

• Up to 30-50% longer tool life compared to commodity cutters
• Significant gains in feed rates when paired with the right coating and toolholder
• Better part consistency across the shift—less downtime for in-process tweaking

Dialing It In
Here’s a tip: The Fullerton Fury thrives in rigid setups and likes a solid toolpath. Pair it with your go-to dynamic milling strategy (Mastercam, Fusion 360, whatever you use), and it’ll reward you with cleaner parts and shorter cycles. If you want top achieve peek performance,  mount it in a hydraulic or shrink-fit holder to get tighter TIR and reduce deflection. That’s where you’ll really see the edge quality shine.

Final Word
If you’re still running basic carbide mills on your vertical or 5-axis mill, it might be time to give the Fullerton Fury a shot. It's built for today's high-speed, high-efficiency shop floor—where every second and every inch of cut matters.

Need help finding the right Fury geometry for your material mix?
​
Reach out to your local Factory Tooling Solutions rep—we’ll help you dial it in.