Ferocious 2000 Series End Mill: Complete Specifications and Speeds & Feeds
The Ferocious 2000 series carbide end mill is designed for high-speed machining of aluminum, non-ferrous metals, and plastics. Manufactured from premium sub-micro grain carbide, this tool combines a 2-flute design with a 55° high-helix geometry to deliver smooth chip evacuation, improved surface finishes, and longer tool life. Whether you're roughing, profiling, slotting, or finishing, the Ferocious 2000 series carbide end mill provides the precision and consistency required for demanding CNC applications.
Overview: Ferocious 2000 Series
The Ferocious 2000 series carbide end mill is engineered to maximize productivity while maintaining excellent dimensional accuracy. Its polished flute design reduces chip buildup, allowing higher feed rates and cleaner cuts in aluminum and other non-ferrous materials.
Key features include:
- Premium sub-micro grain solid carbide construction
- 2-flute, 55° high-helix geometry
- Micro-polished cylindrical land for improved surface finish
- Available in stub, standard, long, and extra-long lengths
- Excellent chip evacuation for deep-pocket machining
- Designed for high-speed CNC machining
For manufacturers looking for a reliable aluminum milling carbide end mill, the Ferocious Series offers a balance of speed, durability, and precision.
Available Sizes – Imperial and Metric
The CGS 2000 series end mill specs cover a wide diameter range, with the imperial 2000 Series running from 1/8" to 1" and the metric 2100 Series running from 3mm to 25mm. Both lines share the same 2-flute, 55° high-helix construction and are available in standard and extended lengths to suit varying cut depths.
Imperial 2000 Series – Common Sizes (Square End, 2-Flute):
|
EDP# |
Dia (in) |
Shank (in) |
LOC (in) |
OAL (in) |
Flutes |
|
2001 |
1/8 |
1/8 |
1/2 |
1-1/2 |
2 |
|
2006 |
1/4 |
1/4 |
3/4 |
2-1/2 |
2 |
|
2018 |
3/8 |
3/8 |
1 |
2-1/2 |
2 |
|
2030 |
1/2 |
1/2 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
2048 |
5/8 |
5/8 |
1-1/4 |
3-1/2 |
2 |
|
2057 |
3/4 |
3/4 |
1-1/2 |
4 |
2 |
|
2066 |
1 |
1 |
1-1/2 |
4 |
2 |
Metric 2100 Series – Common Sizes (Square End, 2-Flute):
|
EDP# |
Dia (mm) |
Shank (mm) |
LOC (mm) |
OAL (mm) |
Flutes |
|
2101 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
38 |
2 |
|
2103 |
5 |
5 |
16 |
50 |
2 |
|
2112 |
8 |
8 |
22 |
63 |
2 |
|
2118 |
10 |
10 |
25 |
63 |
2 |
|
2130 |
12 |
12 |
25 |
75 |
2 |
|
2148 |
16 |
16 |
32 |
88 |
2 |
|
2157 |
20 |
20 |
38 |
100 |
2 |
|
2166 |
25 |
25 |
38 |
100 |
2 |
Long and extra-long versions are available for deeper cavities. For example, the 12mm diameter (EDP# 2234) is stocked with a 75mm LOC and 125mm OAL, useful when standard flute lengths simply won't reach.
Ball Nose and Corner Radius Variants
The Ferocious family extends beyond the standard square end profile. The BN2000 Series covers ball nose configurations from 1/8" through 1/2" and beyond, while the CR2000 Series adds a corner radius option in five available radii: .015", .030", .060", .090", and .125". Both variants retain the same micro-grain carbide construction and 55° helix that define the standard Ferocious 2000 series carbide end mill.
Corner Radius (CR2000) Series – Available Radii by Size:
|
EDP# |
Dia (in) |
LOC (in) |
OAL (in) |
.015 |
.030 |
.060 |
.090 |
.125 |
|
CR2006 |
1/4 |
3/4 |
2-1/2 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
— |
— |
|
CR2018 |
3/8 |
1 |
2-1/2 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
— |
— |
|
CR2030 |
1/2 |
1 |
3 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
CR2036 |
1/2 |
1-1/2 |
3-1/2 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
CR2057 |
3/4 |
1-1/2 |
4 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
CR2066 |
1 |
1-1/2 |
4 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
CR2069 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Corner-radius tooling is especially useful when part geometry requires a blended transition between walls and floors, reducing stress concentrations at inside corners and improving tool life in continuous-cut operations.
Speeds & Feeds – Aluminum Alloys
Getting the most from a high helix aluminum end mill starts with running the right numbers. The table below reflects CGS's recommended starting parameters for aluminum alloys. These are genuine starting points, not conservative estimates. CGS advises starting at the lower end of the SFM range and increasing it in controlled increments to find the optimal feeds and surface finishes for your specific setup.
Starting RPM and IPT by Diameter:
|
Diameter |
Starting RPM |
IPT (Inch Per Tooth) |
|
1/8" |
12,000 |
.001 |
|
3/16" |
10,000 |
.002 |
|
1/4" |
10,000 |
.003 |
|
5/16" |
8,000 |
.004 |
|
3/8" |
8,000 |
.005 |
|
1/2" |
8,000 |
.006 |
|
5/8" |
6,000 |
.007 |
|
3/4" |
4,000 |
.008 |
|
1" |
4,000 |
.010 |
For reference, a 1/4" tool starting at 10,000 RPM with .003" IPT produces a chip load that works with the helix geometry rather than against it. The high helix angle keeps chips moving upward and away from the cut zone, which is why these tools maintain clean finishes even at aggressive material removal rates.
Speeds & Feeds – Cast Aluminum, Copper, Brass & Plastics
The Ferocious end mill speeds and feeds for aluminum data extend to cast aluminum (including high-silicon variants), copper alloys, brass, and plastics. Each material class has its own chip formation characteristics, and the IPT values adjust accordingly. Plastics, for instance, allow significantly higher feed-per-tooth values because they produce lower cutting forces and generate less heat at the tool edge.
Material-Specific Feeds Data (Selected Diameters):
|
Material |
Cut Type |
SFM Range |
Target SFM |
1/4" IPT |
1/2" IPT |
3/4" IPT |
|
Aluminum Alloys |
Full Slot |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0024 |
.0062 |
.0077 |
|
Aluminum Alloys |
Profile |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0031 |
.0079 |
.0099 |
|
Aluminum Alloys |
Finish Pass |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0043 |
.0110 |
.0137 |
|
Cast Aluminum |
Full Slot |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0022 |
.0056 |
.0069 |
|
Cast Aluminum |
Profile |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0028 |
.0072 |
.0089 |
|
Copper/Brass |
Full Slot |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0022 |
.0056 |
.0069 |
|
Plastics |
Full Slot |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0046 |
.0119 |
.0148 |
|
Plastics |
Finish Pass |
395–786 |
590–1572 |
.0082 |
.0212 |
.0264 |
Note: IPT values listed are minimum starting points. Reducing below these minimums can cause the tool to deflect and rub rather than cut, which accelerates wear and degrades finish quality. If your machine cannot reach the target SFM due to spindle limits, maintain the recommended IPT and run at maximum safe RPM.
Best Practices for Running the Ferocious 2000 Series
Even a well-engineered aluminum milling carbide end mill performs only as well as the setup around it allows. A few shop-floor practices make a measurable difference in tool life and part quality when running the Ferocious 2000 Series:
- Use multiple coolant nozzles: Direct them at the end mill from multiple angles to ensure consistent cooling and continuous chip flushing. In deep-cavity work, coolant delivery is as important as cutting parameters.
- Shrink-fit holders: CGS recommends shrink-fit holders for this line. Reduced runout at the tool tip (under .0005") is critical to achieving optimum feeds and surface finishes at high spindle speeds.
Reduce feed for long and extra-long tools: When using extended-length or long-reach configurations, reduce feed by 50% relative to standard-length recommendations, or when the axial depth of cut exceeds 1.5×D. - Don't pair low RPM with high feed: this is explicitly flagged in the CGS documentation. Too low an RPM combined with too much feed can cause the tool to shatter. Always establish RPM before ramping feed.
- Ramp the SFM gradually: Start at the lower end of the SFM range and increase in controlled increments. This allows you to identify the optimal balance of feed rate and finish quality for your specific workpiece material and fixturing conditions.
- Check radial runout: Verify radial runout at the tool tip stays under .0005" before full-production runs. Even a slightly out-of-true setup defeats the geometric advantages of a precision-ground 2-flute solid carbide end mill.
Case Study: Zaytran Inc. Cuts Machining Time by 55%
Zaytran, Inc., a precision manufacturer of grippers, actuators, and locating pins based in Elyria, Ohio, was machining a 6061 aluminum component measuring 6" × 5" × 2" with a 4.8"deep cavity. Cycle time was running 45 to 48 minutes per part. The deep feature created a chip-evacuation problem that caused surface-finish issues and limited the speeds and feeds they could realistically run at.
After consulting with CGS, Zaytran received specially designed versions of the Ferocious 2000 series carbide end mill equipped with through-coolant capability. Coolant passed through the 3/4" and 1" diameter tools with flute lengths up to 5", pushing chips directly out of the cavity where no external nozzle could reach.
The results were measurable across multiple fronts:
- Machining time dropped from 45–48 minutes to under 20 minutes per part a reduction of over 55%
- Profile milling to 3.5"–4" depth while holding 0.001"–0.0015" taper over the full part length eliminated the need for secondary face milling on two sides
- Feed rates increased from 40–50 IPM (previous tooling) to 100 IPM or faster
- Shrink-fit holders contributed to the taper control and allowed the tools to run consistently at these elevated speeds
Steve Maxwell, Zaytran's production team leader and programmer, noted that no other solution could deliver coolant to where the tool was actually cutting. The combination of through-coolant capability and the high-helix aluminum end-mill geometry addressed both the chip-evacuation problem and the taper-control challenge simultaneously.
Custom Options & Ordering
The Ferocious 2000 Series is available in square end, ball nose, and corner radius configurations across stub, standard, long, extra-long, and extended-reach lengths — in both imperial and metric measurement systems. The Zaytran application also demonstrates that CGS produces custom configurations when standard stock doesn't match a specific production requirement, such as through-coolant capability on extended flute lengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What starting RPM is recommended for a 1/4" Ferocious 2000 series end mill?
CGS recommends starting at 10,000 RPM with a chip load of .003" IPT for a 1/4" Ferocious 2000 series carbide end mill. Increase SFM in controlled steps to find the optimal rate for your specific setup and material.
How do I reduce chatter when milling deep cavities with the Ferocious end mill?
Use shrink-fit holders to minimize runout (under .0005"), reduce feed by 50% on long-reach tools, and direct multiple coolant nozzles at the tool. Proper chip evacuation is critical to chatter-free deep-cavity work.
Can the Ferocious 2000 series be used with through-coolant?
Yes. CGS produces through-coolant versions for demanding deep-cavity applications. The Zaytran case study used 3/4" and 1" CGS 2000 series end mill variants with up to 5" flute lengths and through-coolant channels.
What is the maximum axial depth of cut for long-length Ferocious end mills?
There is no single fixed maximum, but CGS advises reducing feed by 50% when axial depth exceeds 1.5×D on long and extra-long aluminum milling carbide end mill configurations. Always pair depth increases with proper coolant delivery.
Are Ferocious 2000 series end mills available in metric sizes?
Yes. The 2100 Series covers metric diameters from 3mm to 25mm with the same 2-flute, 55° high-helix construction. Long and extra-long metric options are also available for deeper reach.