Words you will meet
- Feed rate
- Forward movement per unit of time.
- Stepover
- Sideways distance between adjacent cutting passes.
- Chip load
- Approximate thickness removed by each cutting edge per turn.
Four settings work together
Feed rate is how quickly the cutter moves along the work. Spindle speed is how fast it rotates. Depth per pass is the thickness removed in one downward step. Stepover is how far sideways the tool moves between neighboring passes. Changing one affects the load and the result of the others.
Chip load describes the approximate material taken by each cutting edge per revolution. For a simplified calculation, feed per minute divided by RPM and number of flutes gives chip load. All units must agree. This relationship explains the settings; it does not choose a safe setting for your machine.
Begin with specific guidance
Use the tool maker’s starting guidance for the exact cutter and material, within the machine’s limits. Check that the tool can reach the planned depth without excessive projection and that chips can escape. Do not copy another person’s numbers without the same tool, material and conditions.
Slower feed is not automatically gentler: a rotating cutter can rub and generate heat. Increasing feed without checking depth, holding and machine capacity is not a universal cure either. Stop for unusual vibration, movement, burning or tool damage.
Read the preview as a checklist
Check units, stock size, total depth, cutter, start point, inside or outside placement, travel height and operation order. Look for unexpected cuts and parts released too early. A machine-approved dry run can add information after setup, but it still moves equipment and must follow the manual; do not improvise one by changing zero.
Your practice task
Explain a cutting plan in your own words
- Identify feed, rotation speed, depth per pass and stepover in your software.
- Find the manufacturer’s guidance for the chosen tool and compare units.
- Preview the first project and write down what would happen if the wrong thickness or origin were entered. Correct the plan before any run.
Keep a record: The source of starting settings, units, tool and preview checks.
A mistake worth avoiding
Treating a calculator result or internet preset as a verified setting for every machine.
Check your understanding: Is cutting as slowly as possible always safer?
No. Too little feed for the rotation and setup can cause rubbing and heat. Use appropriate manufacturer guidance and resolve abnormal behavior before continuing.
05 / Project notes
Notes for your next project
Check off the topics you have reviewed and record anything useful for your next build. This tracks your learning progress; use your equipment’s setup procedure for machine checks.
Record: The source of starting settings, units, tool and preview checks.
No notes recorded. Use this space for your observations.
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Check each topic above to mark the lesson as reviewed. You can browse any lesson at any time.
Sources and next reading
Read the instructions for your exact model. Linked manufacturer examples explain particular systems; their settings and procedures are not universal. Sources checked October 17, 2026.