ABOUT ZPS-FN
ZPS-FN is a Czech manufacturer of high speed steel and solid carbide cutting tools, based in Zlín. The company’s roots go back to the 1930s, when tool production started within the Baťa engineering works. It became an independent company in the early 1990s and has grown into the largest Czech manufacturer of HSS milling cutters, exporting to customers across Europe.
The range covers standard DIN and ČSN milling cutters, drills, saws, thread cutting tools and countersinks, most of which are held in stock and ready to ship. ZPS-FN also manufactures special tools to customer drawings and specifications, and runs its own heat treatment division for hardening, tempering and nitriding tool steels. The company operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality system, so every tool leaving the factory meets a consistent standard.
Manufacturing Heritage
Certified Quality System
Largest Czech HSS Manufacturer
ZPS-FN PRODUCTS
Milling Cutters
HSS and Solid Carbide Cutters for Precision Machining
ZPS-FN’s core range covers shell end mills, side and face cutters, die sinking cutters, and angular and radius cutters, all manufactured to DIN and ČSN standards from high speed steel or solid carbide. These are the tools ZPS-FN is best known for, built on decades of milling cutter production experience.
- Shell end mills
- Side and face cutters
- Die sinking cutters
- Angular and radius cutters
- Standard DIN and ČSN profiles
- TiAlN coating available as standard
Rotary Burrs
HSS Burrs for Deburring and Finishing
Rotary burrs from ZPS-FN are used for deburring, chamfering and general metal finishing work across a wide range of shapes and cuts. Made from high speed steel, they’re built for consistent, controlled material removal on ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
- Cylindrical, ball, oval and cone shapes
- Various cut patterns for different finishes
- Suited to hand tools and machine spindles
- Ferrous and non-ferrous metal use
Slitting Saws
HSS and Solid Carbide Circular Saw Blades
ZPS-FN’s saw range includes circular saw blades in high speed steel and solid carbide, used for slitting, slotting and metal cutting operations on milling machines. They’re built to hold an edge through repeated cutting cycles.
- Slitting and slotting saw blades
- HSS and solid carbide options
- Standard bore and tooth configurations
- Designed for milling machine use
Drills
HSS and Solid Carbide Hole-Making Tools
ZPS-FN’s drill range covers standard HSS jobber drills through to solid carbide options, built for consistent hole-making across ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Most sizes are held in stock and available to ship directly.
- Standard and long series HSS drills
- Solid carbide drill options
- Standard DIN shank and flute configurations
- Wide diameter range for general workshop use
Countersinks
Tools for Chamfering and Deburring Drilled Holes
Countersinks are used to chamfer and deburr drilled holes cleanly, and ZPS-FN’s range covers standard angles and profiles for general engineering work. Available in high speed steel and solid carbide.
- Standard countersink angles
- HSS and solid carbide options
- Suited to deburring and chamfering work
- Used across general engineering applications
Thread Cutting Tools
Taps & Threading Dies
ZPS-FN produces a full range of thread cutting tools, including machine and hand taps and HSS circular dies, for cutting metric, fine and other standard thread forms. This range covers the bulk of standard threading work in a machine shop.
- Machine and hand taps
- Circular dies
- Metric and fine thread profiles
- Coated and uncoated options
Browse the ZPS-FN Catalogue
The full product range in one place. Page through it below or download a copy to keep on hand.
The ZPS-FN general catalogue gives you an overview of the full product range available through Erikor Engineering Supplies, from milling cutters and drills to slitting saws and thread cutting tools available in HSS and HSS-CO grades. It’s a good starting point for browsing what’s available before speaking to a rep about your specific requirements.
Not sure which tool is right for your application?
Our reps can work through the catalogue with you and recommend the best option for your specific job.
Why Workshops Choose ZPS-FN
Decades of Manufacturing Experience
ZPS-FN has been producing milling cutters since the 1930s, refined through generations of Czech tool making.
Wide Range Held in Stock
Most of the standard range is manufactured and held ready, so common sizes aren’t a long wait away.
Built for Professional Use
ZPS-FN tools are designed for daily workshop use, with a price to performance ratio that makes sense for the job.
Sole SA Distributor
Erikor Engineering Supplies is the only authorised source of ZPS-FN HSS tools in South Africa.
Delivered Across South Africa
Order from Edenvale headoffice and get your tools delivered nationwide, free on orders over R1,500.
Local Application Support
Our reps know the product range and can visit your workshop to help you spec the right tool for the job.
See ZPS-FN Cutting Tools in Action
Watch how ZPS-FN cutting tools perform over various applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose HSS or solid carbide for my machining application?
High speed steel and solid carbide both have their place, and the right choice depends on your material, cutting speed and production volume. HSS offers good toughness and handles interrupted cuts well, making it a reliable, cost-effective choice for general milling, drilling and general workshop use. It’s also more forgiving on older or less rigid machines.
Solid carbide holds its edge far longer at higher cutting speeds and performs better on harder or more abrasive materials, but it’s less tolerant of vibration or an unstable setup. If you’re running high volumes or need faster cycle times, solid carbide usually pays for itself. For general purpose work or lower volumes, HSS remains the practical choice.
Not sure which to go with? Speak to one of Erikor’s reps, who can match the tool to your material, machine and production requirements.
What should I look for in a drill for aluminium and other non-ferrous metals?
Aluminium and other soft non-ferrous metals cut differently to steel. They tend to produce long, stringy chips and can gum up on the cutting edge if the tool isn’t designed for it, so drills with polished flutes and geometry built for fast chip evacuation give a cleaner hole and reduce the risk of built-up edge.
Standard HSS drills handle most general aluminium work well, but if you’re running higher volumes or need tighter tolerances, a solid carbide drill or one from a dedicated aluminium range will hold up better over longer runs and give more consistent hole quality.
Coolant and cutting speed also play a role, since aluminium can be machined faster than steel but needs adequate lubrication to clear chips properly.
If you’re battling with chip build-up or poor finish, get in touch with an Erikor rep to check your drill choice and cutting parameters.
What's the difference between a shell end mill and a side and face cutter, and when do I use each?
Shell end mills are mounted on an arbor and are built mainly for face milling and slotting, removing material efficiently across a flat surface. They’re a good choice when you need to machine a wide, flat face or cut a slot to width in a single pass.
Side and face cutters are designed to cut on both their periphery and their sides, which makes them better suited to shoulder work, slotting and step cutting where accuracy on more than one face matters. The tooth pattern also affects performance, with coarse teeth suited to roughing and finer teeth giving a better finish.
The right choice comes down to the geometry of the cut, the finish required, and how the tool will be mounted on your machine.
Not sure what type of tool to use connect with one of our rep’s.
Click the button below and complete our request form.
How do I choose the right saw blade for slitting or slotting work?
Saw blade selection comes down to the material you’re cutting, the depth of cut, and how many parts you need to produce. HSS saw blades are the standard choice for most slitting and slotting work, offering good toughness across common metals and a straightforward regrind when they eventually wear down.
Tooth count and pitch make the biggest difference to your result. Finer teeth suit thinner materials and give a better surface finish, while coarser teeth remove material faster and are better suited to deeper cuts or tougher stock. Bore size and blade diameter also need to match your machine setup correctly to avoid runout or an unstable cut.
If you’re unsure which blade suits your job, speak to an Erikor rep who can help match the blade to your material and machine setup.
Need Help Choosing the Right Tool?
Our team is ready to help you find the right tool for the job. Fill in the form and one of our reps will get back to you shortly.
