Melin Tool Company

Drilling difficult-to-machine materials—such as those commonly used in aerospace and automotive components—often presents major challenges, including short tool life, frequent tool changes, and high overall machining costs.

This article introduces Melin Tool Company’s carbide drills and explains how their technologies address these challenges in demanding cutting environments.

Recommended
Applications for
Melin Tool Company

Melin Tool’s carbide drills are ideal for production lines where downtime is unacceptable — such as in automotive part manufacturing — as well as for applications where material costs are high and even minor defects are intolerable, including aerospace and medical components.

Their proprietary high-performance coatings maximize tool life and reduce replacement frequency.
By minimizing not only tool costs but also hidden expenses such as machine downtime and material waste, Melin Tool drills help lower the total cost per part and enhance manufacturing efficiency.

Note: Performance may vary depending on tool type, cutting speed, feed rate, coolant type, and machine rigidity.

How to Choose Carbide Drills from
Melin Tool Company

As a carbide drills manufacturer with drill options for non-ferrous metals, stainless steel, titanium, and mixed-material machining, Melin Tool Company offers series designed around specific material challenges. The right choice depends on whether the application requires chip evacuation in aluminum, heat resistance in difficult materials, or vibration control across varied workpieces.

For Non-Ferrous Metals Such as Aluminum and Copper

Recommended Series

MAL3 Series

When to Choose This Type

Choose the MAL3 Series when machining non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and copper. These materials are often ductile and prone to chip adhesion, which can lead to built-up edge, unstable cutting, and poor hole quality if chips are not evacuated efficiently.

The MAL3 Series addresses these challenges with a three-flute design that improves chip evacuation and a smooth ZrN coating that helps reduce friction and material adhesion. Together, these features help prevent chip clogging and support stable, consistent machining performance in aluminum and other non-ferrous applications.

Suitable Materials

Not specified on the official website.

Available Types

Not specified on the official website.

For Titanium, Stainless Steel, and Heat-Prone Difficult Materials

Recommended Series

MTi4 Series

When to Choose This Type

Choose the MTi4 Series when drilling difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium and stainless steel. These materials have low thermal conductivity and tend to retain cutting heat, which can accelerate tool wear and reduce process stability.

The MTi4 Series uses a specialized nACRo® coating designed to maintain hardness at temperatures approaching 1,000°C. Combined with a 135° point angle that supports controlled cutting entry, this design helps reduce thermal damage and extend tool life in demanding applications.

Suitable Materials

• Stainless steel
• Hard-to-cut materials

Available Diameters

• 3.175 mm, approximately 0.125"
• 4.763 mm, approximately 0.188"
• 6.35 mm, approximately 0.250"
• 7.938 mm, approximately 0.313"
• 9.525 mm, approximately 0.375"
• 12.7 mm, approximately 0.500"
• 15.875 mm, approximately 0.625"
• 19.05 mm, approximately 0.750"
• 25.4 mm, approximately 1.000"

*Source: [PDF] AWS Official Website
https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/assets.endmill.com/catalogs/Melin_Series_Ultra_High_Performance_2019.pdf

For Mixed Difficult Materials and Chatter Control

Recommended Series

VXMG3T Series

When to Choose This Type

Choose the VXMG3T Series when a shop needs one carbide drill series for a wide variety of difficult-to-machine materials, including stainless steels, heat-resistant alloys, and tool steels. This series is useful for mixed-material production, frequent setup changes, or applications where process stability is more important than single-material optimization.

The variable helix and unequal flute spacing help suppress chatter and vibration during cutting. This supports stable, consistent performance across different workpiece types and helps maintain hole quality when machining conditions vary.

Suitable Materials

• Steel
• Stainless steel
• Hard-to-cut materials

Available Diameters

• 0.787 mm, approximately 0.031"
• 1.194 mm, approximately 0.047"
• 1.397 mm, approximately 0.055"
• 1.575 mm, approximately 0.062"
• 1.981 mm, approximately 0.078"
• 2.362 mm, approximately 0.093"

*Source: [PDF] AWS Official Website
https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/assets.endmill.com/catalogs/Melin_Micro_Catalog_2018.pdf

Quick Selection Guide

• For aluminum, copper, and other non-ferrous metals: Choose the MAL3 Series.
• For reducing chip adhesion and built-up edge: Consider MAL3 with its three-flute design and ZrN coating.
• For titanium and stainless steel: Choose the MTi4 Series.
• For materials that retain cutting heat: Consider MTi4 with nACRo® coating for heat resistance and longer tool life.
• For mixed difficult-to-machine materials: Choose the VXMG3T Series.
• For chatter or vibration concerns: Consider VXMG3T with variable helix and unequal flute spacing.
• For frequent setup changes: Use VXMG3T when stable performance across multiple workpiece types is more important than single-material specialization.

For more detailed technical information and product comparisons, visit our special feature on carbide drills for stainless steel.
The page highlights three top manufacturers with proven strengths in stainless steel machining, including in-depth coverage of recommended tools for this demanding material.

After-Sales Support from Melin Tool Company

After purchasing a product, customers can contact Melin Tool Company through the official website for technical assistance.

For machining issues or troubleshooting support, customers can use the “Request a Tech” form to connect directly with technical specialists.
If a product return or replacement is required, requests may be submitted through the “RMA Request” portal.

Company Information

Address	5565 Venture Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44130
Phone Number	+1-800-521-1078 / +1-216-362-4200
Official Website	https://www.melintool.com/