Helical Solutions 56142 Ball End Mill 1/4 in 4 Flute Carbide

Product Description

The HELICAL SOLUTIONS 56142 is a 4-flute solid carbide ball end mill designed for high-performance milling in steel, stainless steel, and cast iron. It carries a 1/4 inch cutting diameter, a 1/2 inch length of cut, and a 2-1/2 inch overall length. The tool features a variable index geometry that reduces harmonic vibration during aggressive cuts, and an APLUS PVD coating that extends tool life in ferrous materials. The 0.1250 inch nose radius produces a true ball-end profile suited to contouring, profiling, and finishing operations. Single-end construction with a straight cylindrical shank makes it straightforward to chuck in standard toolholders.

This end mill targets CNC machining centers and manual mills running steel, tool steel, and cast iron workpieces in job shop and production environments. It is rated for both roughing and finishing passes, making it a practical choice when a single tool must handle material removal and surface finish in the same setup. The right-hand cut and right-hand spiral flute direction are standard for conventional CNC spindle rotation. No coolant-through capability is present, so flood or mist coolant at the tool periphery is the appropriate delivery method for heat management in ferrous stock.

Key Features

• 4-flute solid carbide construction for rigidity and wear resistance in ferrous materials
• Variable index flute spacing reduces chatter and vibration during aggressive cuts
• APLUS PVD coating improves hardness and lubricity for extended tool life in steel and cast iron
• Ball end profile with 0.1250 inch nose radius suited to 3D contouring and profiling
• Rated for both roughing and finishing material removal in a single tool
• Right-hand cut with straight cylindrical 1/4 inch shank fits standard ER and set-screw toolholders

Compatibility

Designed for milling steel, stainless steel, and cast iron workpieces. Series: 4 Flute, Ball - Variable Pitch (Aplus), End Mills for Steels, Tool Steels, and Cast Iron. No specific machine model compatibility is stated by the manufacturer for this part number.

Installation Notes

Installation is performed by a machinist or CNC setup technician using a properly sized ER collet, hydraulic, or set-screw toolholder rated for the 1/4 inch shank diameter. Confirm runout does not exceed the 0.0005 inch TIR maximum before cutting. Power down and lock out the spindle before changing or setting tool length offsets manually. Do not exceed the 1/2 inch reach length when engaging the full depth of cut, as extending beyond the rated length of cut significantly reduces tool rigidity and can cause premature failure.