Everyone talks about calculating the ideal feed rate based on material, tooling, and machine limits.
But in real-world shop conditions, with tool wear, machine flex, and inconsistent materials —
can there really be a “perfect” feed rate? Or are we always just chasing the best compromise between speed, safety, and surface finish?

🔍 What do you use as your personal rule of thumb?
⚙️ How often do you adjust feeds on the fly despite what calculators say?
📉 Can too-perfect settings sometimes hurt efficiency?