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Mobile App
To make tool selection even easier, Vortex Tool Company's Tool Selection Guide App simplifies tool selection based on your cutting needs. Input the type of material being cut, the horsepower of the CNC machine, the tool diameter, the thickness of material and the type of cut desired, and the Tool Selection Guide App will recommend the best tool for your application. The App also includes calculators to determine chipload, feed rate, RPM and metric conversions. Convenient links are also provided to this catalog and online ordering. Winner of the 2015 AWFS Visionary Award for Innovation/Productivity in Tooling, the Vortex Tool Selection Guide App is available for your iPhone. For a free download, go to the App Store and select the Vortex Tool Selection Guide.
Feeds & Speeds Chart
Our Feeds & Speeds chart provides quick access to recommended cutting parameters designed to help you achieve optimal performance and tool life. This interactive guide allows you to select your material, tool diameter, and flute count to view recommended feed ranges and cutting data, making it easier to dial in your machining setup with confidence.
This web-based chart is especially useful for Android users, as our mobile app is currently available only on Apple devices. It also serves as a convenient solution for customers who prefer working from a desktop or viewing the information directly on a webpage in the shop or at their workstation.
Whether you are setting up a new job, optimizing an existing toolpath, or troubleshooting cutting performance, this chart gives you fast access to reliable starting points so you can cut smarter, reduce guesswork, and improve results.
Feeds & Speeds
Woods / Laminates
Hard Wood
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.003 / 0.004 / 0.005
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 72 | 90 |
| 2 | 108 | 144 | 180 |
| 3 | 162 | 216 | 270 |
| 4 | 216 | 288 | 360 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.009 / 0.010 / 0.011
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 162 | 180 | 198 |
| 2 | 324 | 360 | 396 |
| 3 | 486 | 540 | 594 |
| 4 | 648 | 720 | 792 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,500
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.015 / 0.017 / 0.018
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 270 | 297 | 324 |
| 2 | 540 | 594 | 648 |
| 3 | 810 | 891 | 972 |
| 4 | 1080 | 1188 | 1296 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.019 / 0.020 / 0.021
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 304 | 320 | 336 |
| 2 | 608 | 640 | 672 |
| 3 | 912 | 960 | 1008 |
| 4 | 1216 | 1280 | 1344 |
Softwood / Plywood
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.004 / 0.005 / 0.006
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72 | 90 | 108 |
| 2 | 144 | 180 | 216 |
| 3 | 216 | 270 | 324 |
| 4 | 288 | 360 | 432 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.009 / 0.011 / 0.013
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 162 | 198 | 234 |
| 2 | 324 | 396 | 468 |
| 3 | 486 | 594 | 702 |
| 4 | 648 | 792 | 936 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,500
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.017 / 0.019 / 0.020
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 306 | 333 | 360 |
| 2 | 612 | 666 | 720 |
| 3 | 918 | 999 | 1080 |
| 4 | 1224 | 1332 | 1440 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.021 / 0.022 / 0.023
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 336 | 352 | 368 |
| 2 | 672 | 704 | 736 |
| 3 | 1008 | 1056 | 1104 |
| 4 | 1344 | 1408 | 1472 |
MDF / Particle Board
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,500
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.004 / 0.006 / 0.007
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72 | 99 | 126 |
| 2 | 144 | 198 | 252 |
| 3 | 216 | 297 | 378 |
| 4 | 288 | 396 | 504 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,500
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.013 / 0.015 / 0.016
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 234 | 261 | 288 |
| 2 | 468 | 522 | 576 |
| 3 | 702 | 783 | 864 |
| 4 | 936 | 1044 | 1152 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,500
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.020 / 0.022 / 0.023
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 360 | 387 | 414 |
| 2 | 720 | 774 | 828 |
| 3 | 1080 | 1161 | 1242 |
| 4 | 1440 | 1548 | 1656 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.025 / 0.026 / 0.027
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 400 | 416 | 432 |
| 2 | 800 | 832 | 864 |
| 3 | 1200 | 1248 | 1296 |
| 4 | 1600 | 1664 | 1728 |
High Pressure Laminate
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.003 / 0.004 / 0.005
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 72 | 90 |
| 2 | 108 | 144 | 180 |
| 3 | 162 | 216 | 270 |
| 4 | 216 | 288 | 360 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.009 / 0.011 / 0.012
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 162 | 189 | 216 |
| 2 | 324 | 378 | 432 |
| 3 | 486 | 567 | 648 |
| 4 | 648 | 756 | 864 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,500
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.015 / 0.017 / 0.018
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 270 | 297 | 324 |
| 2 | 540 | 594 | 648 |
| 3 | 810 | 891 | 972 |
| 4 | 1080 | 1188 | 1296 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.023 / 0.024 / 0.025
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 368 | 384 | 400 |
| 2 | 736 | 768 | 800 |
| 3 | 1104 | 1152 | 1200 |
| 4 | 1472 | 1536 | 1600 |
Phenolic / Paperstone
Select Tool Diameter
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.004 / 0.005 / 0.006
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72 | 90 | 108 |
| 2 | 144 | 180 | 216 |
| 3 | 216 | 270 | 324 |
| 4 | 288 | 360 | 432 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.006 / 0.007 / 0.008
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 108 | 126 | 144 |
| 2 | 216 | 252 | 288 |
| 3 | 324 | 378 | 432 |
| 4 | 432 | 504 | 576 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.010 / 0.011 / 0.012
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 160 | 176 | 192 |
| 2 | 320 | 352 | 384 |
| 3 | 480 | 528 | 576 |
| 4 | 640 | 704 | 768 |
Plastics / Aluminum
Hard Plastic
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.002 / 0.003 / 0.004
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | 54 | 72 |
| 2 | 72 | 108 | 144 |
| 3 | 108 | 162 | 216 |
| 4 | 144 | 216 | 288 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.006 / 0.008 / 0.009
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 108 | 135 | 162 |
| 2 | 216 | 270 | 324 |
| 3 | 324 | 405 | 486 |
| 4 | 432 | 540 | 648 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.008 / 0.009 / 0.010
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 144 | 162 | 180 |
| 2 | 288 | 324 | 360 |
| 3 | 432 | 486 | 540 |
| 4 | 576 | 648 | 720 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.010 / 0.011 / 0.012
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 160 | 176 | 192 |
| 2 | 320 | 352 | 384 |
| 3 | 480 | 528 | 576 |
| 4 | 640 | 704 | 768 |
Soft Plastic
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.003 / 0.005 / 0.006
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 81 | 108 |
| 2 | 108 | 162 | 216 |
| 3 | 162 | 243 | 324 |
| 4 | 216 | 324 | 432 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.007 / 0.009 / 0.010
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 126 | 153 | 180 |
| 2 | 252 | 306 | 360 |
| 3 | 378 | 459 | 540 |
| 4 | 504 | 612 | 720 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.010 / 0.011 / 0.012
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 180 | 198 | 216 |
| 2 | 360 | 396 | 432 |
| 3 | 540 | 594 | 648 |
| 4 | 720 | 792 | 864 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.012 / 0.014 / 0.016
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 192 | 224 | 256 |
| 2 | 384 | 448 | 512 |
| 3 | 576 | 672 | 768 |
| 4 | 768 | 896 | 1024 |
Solid Surface
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.002 / 0.003 / 0.004
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | 54 | 72 |
| 2 | 72 | 108 | 144 |
| 3 | 108 | 162 | 216 |
| 4 | 144 | 216 | 288 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 17,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.006 / 0.008 / 0.009
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 108 | 135 | 162 |
| 2 | 216 | 270 | 324 |
| 3 | 324 | 405 | 486 |
| 4 | 432 | 540 | 648 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.008 / 0.009 / 0.010
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 144 | 162 | 180 |
| 2 | 288 | 324 | 360 |
| 3 | 432 | 486 | 540 |
| 4 | 576 | 648 | 720 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.010 / 0.011 / 0.012
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 160 | 176 | 192 |
| 2 | 320 | 352 | 384 |
| 3 | 480 | 528 | 576 |
| 4 | 640 | 704 | 768 |
Acrylic
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.003 / 0.004 / 0.005
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 72 | 90 |
| 2 | 108 | 144 | 180 |
| 3 | 162 | 216 | 270 |
| 4 | 216 | 288 | 360 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.008 / 0.009 / 0.010
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 144 | 162 | 180 |
| 2 | 288 | 324 | 360 |
| 3 | 432 | 486 | 540 |
| 4 | 576 | 648 | 720 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.010 / 0.011 / 0.012
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 180 | 198 | 216 |
| 2 | 360 | 396 | 432 |
| 3 | 540 | 594 | 648 |
| 4 | 720 | 792 | 864 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 15,500
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.012 / 0.014 / 0.015
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 192 | 216 | 240 |
| 2 | 384 | 432 | 480 |
| 3 | 576 | 648 | 720 |
| 4 | 768 | 864 | 960 |
Aluminum
Select Tool Diameter
1/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.003 / 0.004 / 0.004
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54 | 63 | 72 |
| 2 | 108 | 126 | 144 |
| 3 | 162 | 189 | 216 |
| 4 | 216 | 252 | 288 |
1/4"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.005 / 0.006 / 0.007
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90 | 108 | 126 |
| 2 | 180 | 216 | 252 |
| 3 | 270 | 324 | 378 |
| 4 | 360 | 432 | 504 |
3/8"
RPM (Used for calculation): 18,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.006 / 0.007 / 0.008
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 108 | 126 | 144 |
| 2 | 216 | 252 | 288 |
| 3 | 324 | 378 | 432 |
| 4 | 432 | 504 | 576 |
1/2" +
RPM (Used for calculation): 16,000
Chip Load (Low / Mid / High): 0.008 / 0.009 / 0.010
| Flutes | Low (IPM) | Mid (IPM) Recommended | High (IPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 128 | 144 | 160 |
| 2 | 256 | 288 | 320 |
| 3 | 384 | 432 | 480 |
| 4 | 512 | 576 | 640 |
Tip: Start at Mid (Recommended). Reduce ~20% for slotting/heavy cuts. If chatter occurs, reduce feed and/or RPM ~10–15%.