US Patent 7399147 End mill bit with notched teeth

An end mill is provided with a plurality of teeth extending helically therealong, and with the teeth notched. The notches interrupt the cutting edge of the teeth at various different positions between a tip of the tooth and a root of the tooth. Various different patterns of notches are disclosed with each notch beneficially followed by a region on a following tooth which is notchless. The notches interrupt an otherwise flat cutting edge so that a smooth cut into the work piece is provided by portions of the cutting edge between the notches, and by regions on the teeth where no notches are provided.