Cutting Bronze

[majohnson]

Anyone cut bronze with a PRS Standard using a PC router? Its a project for myself so time isn't an issue. I have end mills that I use on my Bridgeport so toolings won't be an issue. Also feeds and speeds for aluminum and bronze if you have tried it.

[twelchPTM]

i have cut aluminum and engraved brass, they were both small jobs that didn't need to be pretty so I didn't "perfect" my feeds. Problem I had was the bit clogging up with the aluminum chips, what worked for me was a little wd-40. As far as speeds go all I really have to offer is SLOW

[majohnson]

Thanks for the reply. My worry is the router speed. Cutting on aluminum on my mill is about 2000 rpm, where with the router it starts at 10k.

[Brady Watson]

Forget everything you know about milling...you will be routing. Ditch the end mill and get some single flute spiral-O tools from HarveyTool.com or Onsrud. They are designed specifically for routing metals. Start @ MS,1.2,0.7 and 13-15k RPM as a baseline. Use dust collection to aid cooling. Ramp into the cut & never plunge straight down into the material.

-B

[twelchPTM]

yea what he said...

[donek]

Brady's steering you right. End Mills don't work well. I get my aluminum router bits from MSC. Just search "aluminum router" on MSC. I use the acupro and have never had any problem. I believe I run my PC router at top speed and typically move at 1.2in/sec just like Brady. Maximum cut depth in my experience is 0.05in. I do purchase the 3/4in long cutters though and just grind the end off and resharpen when it gets dull. I have a piece of 1/4in copper tubing that I mount and blow air to clear chips. I do it all dry with no lubricant.

[twelchPTM]

Brady's steering you right.
I think Brady does a good job steering us all right. Three cheers for Brady!
(But I wonder if he spend more time trolling the forum's then he does working!)

[Brady Watson]

I try to help out when I can...;)

-B

[donek]

(But I wonder if he spend more time trolling the forum's then he does working!)

Brady's got the robots programming the robots, so he can spend his time helping here. Duh.

[majohnson]

Gentlemen Thanks for the info. I do have some of the aluminum bits, it sounds like nothing to it but to do it.