Walk into any workshop with a Proxxon Micromot rotary tool and you’ll face the same question: which cutter do I need? Proxxon makes three distinct families of rotary cutters — Tungsten Vanadium (TV) Steel Cutters, Tungsten Carbide (TC) Burrs, and Tungsten Carbide (TC) Milling Cutters — and choosing the wrong family for your material is the most common mistake. This guide explains the difference and helps you pick the right cutter for the job.
The Three Cutter Families at a Glance
| Family | Best For | Not For |
|---|---|---|
| TV Steel Cutters | Wood, NF metals, precious metals, plastics, plaster | Steel, hard alloys |
| TC Burrs | Wood, GRP, rubber, foam, silicone | Metals of any kind |
| TC Milling Cutters | Steel, cast steel, NF metals, PCB | Wood, rubber, foam |
Family 1 — Tungsten Vanadium (TV) Steel Cutters
TV steel cutters are the most versatile family — one cutter material covers the broadest range of materials. All TV cutters are manufactured from one-piece blanks (head and shaft from a single blank) for maximum concentricity and breakage safety, and accept 2.35mm or 3.0mm shanks.
Materials: Hard and soft wood, non-ferrous metals, precious metals, plastics, plaster of Paris.
TV Cutter Profile Guide
- ×2.8mm Cylinder — Flat End (No. 28722) — for slots, steps, and flat-bottomed pockets; square corner finish
- ×4mm & ×6mm Rounded Cone (No. 28723) — for chamfering, angled surfaces, and V-groove work; two sizes in one pack
- ×6mm Flame (No. 28724) — for contoured carving, concave shaping, and surface transitions; most versatile TV profile
- ×6mm Round / Ball (No. 28725) — for concave hollowing, bowl shaping, and undercut work
- ×8mm Cylinder Round (No. 28726) — for flat surface work with smooth end transitions
- ×10mm Wheel (No. 28727) — for edge routing, decorative profiling, and cove groove cutting; largest TV cutter
Family 2 — Tungsten Carbide (TC) Burrs
TC burrs are the wood and composite specialist. Tungsten carbide tipping gives long edge life in abrasive materials like GRP and carbon fiber where TV steel would wear quickly. The 3.2mm shank is larger than the TV cutter shanks — check your collet before ordering.
Materials: Wood, GRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic), rubber, foam, silicone. Not for metals.
TC Burr Profile Guide
- Ball Nose — 8×12mm (No. 29060) — for concave hollowing, bowl shaping, and organic carving in wood and GRP
- Cylinder with Round Head — 7.5×12mm (No. 29062) — for surface shaping and contoured work in wood and composites
- Taper — 4.0×19mm (No. 29064) — for V-groove work, tight recesses, and angled shaping in wood and GRP
Family 3 — Tungsten Carbide (TC) Milling Cutters
TC milling cutters are the hard metal specialist. These are precision end mills for steel, cast steel, non-ferrous metals, and PCB — materials that would destroy TV steel cutters rapidly. Available in multiple diameters with both 2.35mm and 3.0mm shanks.
Materials: Steel, cast steel, NF metals, PCB (printed circuit board). Not for wood, rubber, or foam.
TC Milling Cutter Range
- TC Cutter Set — Sphere & Cylinder, 2-Piece (No. 28750) — starter set with two profiles; ideal introduction to TC milling in steel and PCB
- ×2mm TC Milling Cutter (No. 28758) — fine diameter for precision steel and PCB work
- ×2mm TC Milling Cutter (No. 28759) — alternative 2mm geometry for steel and NF metals
- ×5mm TC Milling Cutter (No. 28760) — larger diameter for broader milling passes in steel and NF metals
- ×3mm TC Milling Cutter (No. 28761) — mid-range diameter for general steel and PCB milling
Quick Decision Guide
- Wood carving, shaping, routing → TV Steel Cutters (choose profile by cut type)
- NF metals, precious metals, plastics → TV Steel Cutters
- GRP, carbon fiber, rubber, foam → TC Burrs (3.2mm shank)
- Steel, cast steel, PCB → TC Milling Cutters
- Not sure? Start here → TC Cutter Set (No. 28750) for metals or TV Flame Cutter (No. 28724) for wood and general work
Shank & Collet Compatibility
- TV Steel Cutters — 2.35mm or 3.0mm shank; fits standard Micromot collets
- TC Burrs — 3.2mm shank; requires 3.2mm collet from the MICROMOT Steel Collet Set (No. 28940)
- TC Milling Cutters — 2.35mm or 3.0mm shank; fits standard Micromot collets
Compatible Micromot Tools
- Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E (No. 38481) — collet-based 100W tool; includes 2.35mm and 3mm collets; add 3.2mm collet for TC burrs
- Precision Rotary Tool FBS 115/E (No. 38472) — keyless chuck; accepts all shank sizes including 3.2mm
- MICROMOT Steel Collet Set — 6-Piece (No. 28940) — includes 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.35, 3.0, and 3.2mm collets
Shop the full range in the Proxxon Grinding, Milling & Burr Bits collection at Pro Tool Haus.