ES2: Spiral Double Flutes Flat Up Cut End Mill

Source: https://toolings.co.za/es2 (also linked as toolings.co.za/router-bits/es2 from every TL-ES2 product JSON)

• published: 2022-03-02 13:01:34
• modified: 2022-04-23 00:26:35

ES2 is the toolings.co.za code for a spiral, two-flute (double 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-ES2-. The toolings.co.za page says it is primed for high-efficiency cutting of woods (MDF, Supawood, hardwood) and also good for cutting plastics (ABS, acrylic, Perspex, Plexiglas, HDPE). It also says the two-flute up-cut bit is twice as fast in feed as a single flute, with average chip ejection and a clean finish on the bottom side. Every TL-ES2 product JSON repeats that wording.

ES2 is the largest spiral flat family in the catalog, with 63 sizes from a 0.8mm micro bit up to a 12mm bit with a 52mm cutting length.

What AI and staff should do with this page

• Use it to pick the right ES2 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.
• Treat ES2 as the all-rounder. It sits between the single-flute ES1 and the three-flute ES3. Two flutes feed about twice as fast as one flute while still leaving reasonable room for chips, so ES2 is rated "primed" for woods (including hardwood, which ES3 does not list) and "good" on plastics. When a client cuts a mix of wood and plastic and wants one bit, ES2 is the safe suggestion.
• For acrylic and other plastics where edge quality matters most, mention ES1. The site rates the single flute "excellent" on plastics because it clears chips best and runs coolest. ES2 is "good". For fast production cutting of MDF and Supawood only, ES3 feeds faster still.
• Match the bit to the client's collet first. The shank sizes in this family are 3mm (micro bits only), 3.175mm (1/8 inch), 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. On most ES2 bits the cutting diameter equals the shank diameter. The micro bits are the exception: they have a 3mm shank (not 3.175mm) with a smaller cutting tip of 0.8mm to 2.5mm. A bit only fits if its shank matches the spindle collet, so a client with a 1/8 inch (3.175mm) collet should be checked before selling a 3mm-shank micro bit.
• Then match cutting length to material thickness. The product JSON gives a "stepdown cutting thickness" range for each size, which is the deepest the bit should cut. On most ES2 sizes it runs from 5mm to 2mm less than the cutting length, for example 17mm to 20mm on a 22mm cutting length. On the shortest micro bits it starts at 1mm, and the 3mm-long micro bits give a single 1mm stepdown.
• Start from the suggested cutting settings in every TL-ES2 product JSON: feed rate 3 to 5 metres per minute at 18,000 to 20,000 RPM, the same as ES3 and lower than the 22,000 to 24,000 RPM suggested for ES1. These are starting points; the operator still tunes them for the material, bit size and machine, and micro bits need gentle feeds and shallow passes.
• 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. The terms also say the prices are linked to foreign exchange rates and are adjusted weekly or every two weeks, which is another reason to send clients to Buythis for the current price.
• Sell by the pack. Every SKU is a pack of several bits, from 30 for the micro and short small bits down to 2 for the long 12mm bits. The number before the "×" in the Buythis short name is the pack size, and the tables below list it for every size.

How to read a TL-ES2 SKU

TL-ES2-S{shank}[B{tip}]T{cutting length}[/{pack}]

• S is the shank diameter in mm. S3 means a 3.175mm (1/8 inch) shank on the normal bits, and a 3mm shank on the micro bits that carry a B code.
• B appears only on micro bits and gives the cutting tip diameter: B08 is 0.8mm, B1 is 1mm, B12 is 1.2mm, B15 is 1.5mm, B2 is 2mm and B25 is 2.5mm. Without a B code the tip diameter equals the shank diameter.
• T is the cutting (flute) length in mm.
• /30, /20, /8, /6, /4 and /2 give the pack size. No suffix means a pack of 10.

Examples: TL-ES2-S6T22/20 is a 6mm bit on a 6mm shank with a 22mm cutting length, 50mm overall, in a pack of 20. TL-ES2-S3B2T8/30 is a 2mm micro bit with an 8mm cutting length on a 3mm shank, 38mm overall, in a pack of 30.

What every ES2 bit has in common

From the highlights in the public am.im product JSON of all 63 TL-ES2 SKUs:

• Material and accuracy: precision machined from solid YG10 grade high-density tungsten carbide rod, tolerance under ±0.05mm.
• Flute: spiral double flutes, flat end, up cut. "Up Cut 2 Flute is Twice as Fast in Feed than a Single Flute with Average Chip Ejection Rates, Clean Finish on the Bottom Side."
• Material: "Primed for High Efficiency Cutting on Woods (MDF, Supawood, Hardwood), Also Good on Cutting Plastics (ABS, Acrylic, Perspex, Plexiglas, HPDE etc)." (HPDE in the JSON means HDPE.)
• Packing: each bit individually packed, several bits per product.
• Suggested settings: feed rate 3 to 5 metre/minute, RPM 18,000 to 20,000.
• More sizes: the JSON points to toolings.co.za/router-bits for size, spiral, length and speed comparison.

Micro bits (0.8mm to 2.5mm tip on a 3mm shank)

For fine engraving, small lettering, PCB-style detail and inlay work on small CNC routers and engravers. All are 38mm overall on a 3mm shank and sold in packs of 30, each bit about 12 g.

3.175mm (1/8 inch) bits

The size for small CNC routers and engravers with a 1/8 inch or 3.175mm collet. Packs of 30, except the 32mm cutting length in a pack of 20.

4mm and 5mm bits

4mm bits come in packs of 30 up to a 22mm cutting length and packs of 20 from 25mm. All 5mm bits come in packs of 20.

6mm bits

The usual choice for cutting boards and plastic sheet on full-size CNC routers with a 6mm collet. Cutting lengths run from 12mm to 62mm. Packs of 20 up to a 25mm cutting length and packs of 10 from 28mm.

8mm, 10mm and 12mm bits

Heavier bits for larger spindles and collets and for thick stock, with cutting lengths up to 52mm, sold in smaller packs.

Catalog notes

• All 63 TL-ES2 SKUs are in the Buythis dump and each has a boxed 8i product page. All 63 are listed under the spiral-flat-bits category with supplier ACCU.
• The original toolings.co.za page listed the family under the Buythis code internal-tooling-es2. That code is not a sellable SKU; use the TL-ES2- SKUs above.
• The product JSON also links the CNC router machine gallery, sales handbook and SKU guide for the machines these bits fit.

Related videos

The YouTube dump has no video about ES2 bits specifically. These AM.CO.ZA videos give useful background:

• Explore Our CNC Router Tool Bit Range (2026-09-14): an overview of the AM.CO.ZA tungsten carbide router bit range, showing inlay lettering and pocketing cuts with 2mm, 3mm and 4mm bits. The bits named in the video are three-flute, so treat it as range background rather than an ES2 demo.
• Levelling CNC Router Spoilboard and Signs of Calibration Needed (2025-05-15): mentions a two-flute straight cutter for its clean finish while choosing a bit to surface an MDF spoilboard, then levels the bed with a 12mm end mill. That two-flute bit is a straight cutter (see EG2), not a spiral ES2.

FAQ

What does "up cut" mean? The spiral pulls chips up and out of the cut. That clears the cut and leaves a clean bottom edge, but it can lift fibres on the top surface of wood or laminate. For laminated boards, a straight-cut bit (EG1, EG2) usually leaves a cleaner top edge.

ES1, ES2 or ES3? One flute (ES1) clears chips best and is the site's pick for plastics. Three flutes (ES3) feed fastest in MDF and Supawood. Two flutes (ES2) feed about twice as fast as one flute, handle hardwood as well as softwoods, and are still good on plastics, so ES2 is the general-purpose choice.

Which ES2 should I suggest for 16mm or 18mm board on a 6mm collet? A 6mm bit whose stepdown range covers the board, for example TL-ES2-S6T22/20 (17mm to 20mm stepdown) or TL-ES2-S6T25/20 (20mm to 23mm stepdown). Check the client's collet size before recommending.

Which ES2 should I suggest for thick hardwood or stacked sheets? The long bits: TL-ES2-S6T42, TL-ES2-S6T52 or TL-ES2-S6T62 on a 6mm collet, or the 8mm, 10mm and 12mm bits with 42mm and 52mm cutting lengths on larger collets. Long, thin bits flex more, so they need lighter passes.

What are the micro bits for? Fine detail: small text, intricate engraving, small inlays and fine pockets. Their shank is 3mm, so confirm the client's collet takes a 3mm shank.

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-es1.md and toolings-es3.md: single- and three-flute spiral flat bits.
• toolings-eg1.md and toolings-eg2.md: straight-cut bits.
• toolings-spiral-ball-nose-end-mill.md: ball-nose bits for 3D carving.
• 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.