ES1: Spiral Single Flute Flat Up Cut End Mill

Source: https://toolings.co.za/es1 (also linked as toolings.co.za/router-bits/es1 from every TL-ES1 product JSON)

• published: 2022-03-02 13:01:31
• modified: 2022-04-23 00:30:47

ES1 is the toolings.co.za code for a spiral, single-flute, flat-end, up-cut router bit (end mill), machined from a solid tungsten carbide rod. AM.CO.ZA sells it on Buythis under SKUs that start with TL-ES1-. The toolings.co.za page says it is excellent for cutting plastics (ABS, acrylic, Perspex, Plexiglas, HDPE) and good for cutting wood (MDF, Supawood, hardwood). Every TL-ES1 product JSON repeats that wording.

What AI and staff should do with this page

• Use it to pick the right ES1 size, then send the client to that SKU's Buythis page (always with #ai) for the current price. Never quote a price from this page; it carries none. For stock, use live stock only; this page never carries quantities.
• Match the bit to the client's collet first. The shank sizes in this family are 3mm, 3.175mm (1/8 inch), 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. A bit only fits if its shank matches the spindle collet.
• Then match cutting length to material thickness. The product JSON gives a "stepdown cutting thickness" for each size, which is the deepest the bit should cut. It is 2mm less than the cutting length on every size except the 0.8mm micro bit, where it is 1mm less.
• Recommend ES1 for plastics first. The single flute clears chips fastest and makes the least heat, so acrylic and other plastics are less likely to melt and re-weld behind the bit. For wood it is "good", and for a cleaner finish on wood or boards the toolings.co.za pages point to the two- and three-flute bits (ES2, ES3) or the straight-cut bits (EG1, EG2).
• Start from the suggested cutting settings in every TL-ES1 product JSON: feed rate 3 to 5 metres per minute at 22,000 to 24,000 RPM. These are starting points; the operator still tunes them for the material and machine.
• Tell clients these are consumables. The Buythis terms on these SKUs say there is no warranty or refund on consumable products, and any exchange for a different size or package needs written agreement.
• Sell by the pack. Every SKU is a pack of several bits, from 4 to 30 pieces. The number before the "×" in the Buythis short name, and the number after the "/" in most SKUs, is the pack size. Ten SKUs have no "/" suffix and are packs of 10.

How to read a TL-ES1 SKU

TL-ES1-S{shank}[B{bit}]T{cutting length}[/{pack}]

• S is the shank diameter in mm. S3 without a B part means a 3.175mm (1/8 inch) shank and bit.
• B appears only on the small bits that are thinner than their shank, for example S3B2 is a 2mm bit on a 3mm shank and S3B08 is a 0.8mm bit on a 3mm shank (B08 = 0.8, B12 = 1.2, B15 = 1.5, B25 = 2.5).
• T is the cutting (flute) length in mm.
• /30, /20, /8, /6, /4 is the pack size. No suffix means a pack of 10.

Example: TL-ES1-S6T22/20 is a 6mm bit on a 6mm shank with a 22mm cutting length, 50mm overall, in a pack of 20.

What every ES1 bit has in common

From the highlights in the public am.im product JSON of all 54 TL-ES1 SKUs:

• Material and accuracy: precision machined from solid YG10 grade high-density tungsten carbide rod, tolerance under ±0.05mm.
• Flute: spiral single flute, flat end, up cut. "Up Cut Single Flute Spiral Allows for Maximum Chip Ejection and Generates the Least Amount of Heat."
• Packing: each bit individually packed, several bits per product.
• Suggested settings: feed rate 3 to 5 metre/minute, RPM 22,000 to 24,000.
• More sizes: the JSON points to toolings.co.za/router-bits for size, spiral, length and speed comparison.

The newer am.im product descriptions also say the bits suit aluminium as well as wood and plastic. The toolings.co.za page and the highlights do not mention aluminium, so treat aluminium as something to confirm with the workshop before promising it. Some of those descriptions also round 3.175mm to "3mm"; the SKU, name and highlights are correct at 3.175mm.

Micro bits (thinner than the 3mm shank)

For fine engraving, small lettering and detailed inlays. These all have a 3mm shank and are 38mm long overall.

3.175mm (1/8 inch) bits

The most common size for small CNC routers and engravers with a 1/8 inch or 3.175mm collet.

4mm and 5mm bits

Two 4mm × 22mm SKUs exist: TL-ES1-S4T22/30 is 45mm overall (23mm shank) in a pack of 30, and TL-ES1-S4T22/20 is 60mm overall (38mm shank) in a pack of 20. Use the longer one when the collet needs more shank to grip or the bit must reach past a clamp.

6mm bits

The usual choice for cutting through boards and sheet plastics on full-size CNC routers with a 6mm collet. Cutting lengths run from 12mm to 72mm.

8mm, 10mm and 12mm bits

Heavier bits for larger spindles and collets, sold in smaller packs.

Catalog notes

• All 54 TL-ES1 SKUs are in the Buythis dump and each has a boxed 8i product page. 51 are listed under the spiral-flat-bits category with supplier ACCU. Three (TL-ES1-S3B25T17/30, TL-ES1-S3B2T17/30, TL-ES1-S4T22/20) are listed under the amcoza category with supplier AM.CO.ZA; they are the same ES1 bit and are sold the same way.
• Some older boxed 8i product pages show an earlier overall length in their title (for example 48mm instead of 50mm for TL-ES1-S6T22/20). The lengths in the tables above come from the current Buythis dump and am.im JSON and win over older pages.
• The product JSON also links the CNC router machine gallery, sales handbook and SKU guide for the machines these bits fit.

Related videos

These AM.CO.ZA YouTube videos (from the YouTube dump) show router bits and up-cut cutting in general. None is labelled as an ES1 demo, so use them as background only.

• Explore Our CNC Router Tool Bit Range (2026-09-14)
• EasyRoute CNC Router with Vacuum Table and Dust Collector for Supawood Cutting w. Upcut Router Bit (2017-08-22)
• R-2030K/55 profile cutting circles for tables using 6mm end mill (2025-04-15)

FAQ

What does "up cut" mean? The spiral pulls chips up and out of the cut. That clears the cut well and keeps the bit cool, but it can lift fibres on the top surface of wood or laminate. For laminated boards, a straight-cut bit or a two-flute bit usually leaves a cleaner top edge.

Why one flute instead of two or three? One flute leaves the most room for chips, so it clears plastic and soft material fastest with the least heat. More flutes give a smoother finish at the same feed but need more chip clearance.

Which ES1 should I suggest for cutting 6mm acrylic on a 6mm collet? A 6mm shank bit whose stepdown covers the sheet, for example TL-ES1-S6T12/20 (10mm stepdown) or TL-ES1-S6T17/20 (15mm stepdown). Check the client's collet size before recommending.

Can I cut 18mm MDF or Supawood in one pass? Choose a bit whose stepdown is at least the board thickness, for example a 6mm × 22mm bit (20mm stepdown). ES1 is rated "good" for wood; many shops still cut in two or more passes for a cleaner edge.

Are prices on this page? No. Send clients to the Buythis link with #ai for the current price.

Read next

• toolings-router-bits.md: the toolings.co.za router bit index (straight, spiral, ball-nose and specialist bits).
• toolings-spiral-flat-end-mill.md: spiral flat end mills overview.
• toolings-es2.md and toolings-es3.md: two- and three-flute spiral flat bits.
• toolings-eg1.md and toolings-eg2.md: straight-cut bits.
• toolings-right-cnc-router-bits-2022.md: choosing the right CNC router bit (2022 article).
• toolings-site.md: toolings.co.za site signpost.
• cnc-routers.md: CNC router catalog.