Abstract: An indexable milling cutter has inserts arranged in a configuration of densely packed pairs, or intermeshed circular rows, of cooperating inserts, with predetermined small radial and axial differentials between the cutting corners of the insert pairs. In addition, the pitch between adjacent inserts of the pairs varies from a greater to a lesser pitch, and the axial rake angle of the insert pairs alternates from substantially zero to a small negative angle. The configuration is effective to create reduced size chips, yielding both improved surface quality and significantly reduced insert wear.