Cutting Brass

[jsmithconstruct]

Does anyone have any recommendations on cutting brass. The project calls for 90 (1/8" thick) brass door plates with dimensions of 2.5" (w) x 12" (h). Does anyone has any information regarding speed, feed, bits and what alloy brass machines the best?

[twelchPTM]

I have done some engraving (not much) and it was a big pain in the *** to get it going and even then I wasn't happy with the end results. If I ever do it again i will order the widget works engraving bit. As far as cutting the blanks if your just wanting to produce blanks the bot is not the economical solution.

Also I have never heard of a door plate that thick, and at those dimentions you could be looking at 20 - 30 bucks a pop (unpolished).

[shoeshine]

Yup.

I cut brass all the time. I regularly cut .090" but I have done up to 3/8". Typically 260 alloy half hard. Just get bits designed for non ferrous machining. I run a niagra cutter 1/8" 2 flute carbide stub mill about .3 -.5 in/sec @ 12k rpm, .02" passes. if you are doing all exterior cuts you might be even better with a 1/4in bit. I find a tapping lubricant to help the cut immensely. Favorite brand is CRC because it is thick and viscous so it doesnt spatter everywhere.

and be sure to ramp into every (and I mean every) cut.

GL and holler back if you have any other questions.

Chris

[jsmithconstruct]

Chris,

Thanks for the response. How is the edge quality as far as tooling marks are concerned. Is there any polishing left to do after cutting. Also please see the attached drawing of what I am attempting to fabricate.

[JoeinWestMich]

Thomas,
You mentioned that using the bot might not be the best for cutting the blanks. What do you use? Table saw? Band or Scroll saw? I may be doing some brass nameplates for cradles and rocking horses. It would be cutting just a few at a time. I would appreciate knowing how you or others do these off the bot.
Thanks, Joe

[jerry_stanek]

How are you going to keep the center of the letters and numbers from falling out

[jsmithconstruct]

The letters will be tabbed or maybe just etched in.