End Mills for Machining trans gears?

[turboglenn]

This weekend i picked up a sine vise for my mill and decided to try back-cutting a set of gears for a drag bike i'm working on currenly ( i usually friction grind this process by hand) but anyway.. My first mill i tried (TiN Rouching mill 1/4'' diameter with 1/2 inch shank) wouldn't do anything worth mentioning.


Then i tried the good ol' HSS 3/8 sank and diameter and again made about .010 prgress at .003 depth and that was the end of that end mill.


I've always just done this by hand but would like o throw the mill in the mix for a more precise and better looking final project (not that the looks matter or that the customers ever even see the parts, but i's mor my personal satisfction)

what do you guys use to cut tranny gears? I have turned them on the lathe using carbde inserts so i know they can be cut, but with what i don't know.. I figured there were others milling gears instead of hand grinding still so hopefully some read this and can help

 

[pboglio]

Soon as I get my 4th axis I should be able to cut gears.

 

[turboglenn]

What do you plan on cutting them with? The only way i've ever done it has been to use a grinding stone in the mill head or mounted on the tool post with the gear in the spindle/chuck. I've also free handed a bunch of them with success, but trying any of the end mills i have so far have been complete fails

 

[Defiant]

Carbide, same as the lathe tool.

 

[pboglio]

I planned on using a dedicated gear hobb or involute gear cutter.

 

[Defiant]

That'd be for cutting gear teeth, not undercutting them as the OP asked about.