A stepped tool means the cutting diameter is larger than the shank diameter. This facilitates a larger cutting diameter for surfacing with spindles using smaller collet sizes. This tool has radius edges for less tool gouging and superior surface finishes. You cannot do sharp inside corners for any surface finishing of pockets with this tool. These tools are designed for machining aluminum, brass, plastics and exotic composites.

Face mill tools are designed to remove a skim coat off the top of a surface. They generally are not designed for roughing and are very effective in truing up your material or quickly providing an excellent surface finish. These larger diameter long-life, micro-grain carbide tools are available in various cutting diameters and lengths, shank diameters, and geometries for specialty applications.