John K Jordan
I've used end mills a lot for wood, in a milling machine but not necessarily turning at high speed. A drill press with an x-y vise would help. I'd go slow since bearings in a drill press are not intended for that.

For milling wood, I like hard and dense woods which cut cleanly - for example I've made things from lignum vitae that I might have otherwise made from aluminum.

One comment, some end mills (all I've bought) are center-cutting and can plunge cut, but some are not center-cutting but good for making smooth surfaces on top and sides of the work. I think all two-flute end mills are center-cutting and some multi-flute are center-cutting.

JKJ