aluminum cutting?

[kclanton]

At my full time job, I was part of a machine upgrade project that left some large pieces of 1" thick aluminum plate as waste. Project manager offered these to me, so I brought them home. I have an o-flute bit that I have never used. What spindle speed, feed rate, and depth are safe to cut? Can aluminum be V-Carved? Can a ballnose bit be used to relief carve? Machining fluid? I am nervous about damaging something.

[coryatjohn]

The usefulness of the material depends a lot on exactly what alloy it is. Some machine very well, others, not so good. You'll need to know that first.

[Brady Watson]

Attached....

-B

[Simops]

What John says is very true. Some alloys are absolute pain in the backside to mill and others a breeze. Rule of thumb is use slow feed rates with shallow passes and gauge ,how it starts to cut.

My biggest problem cutting aluminium is cutting thin sheet without vacuum. I mostly cut 2mm (5/64") and you really need it to hug the spoilboard....not an easy feat with clamps and screws......one day, one day I'll find a decent pump that works on 240V without having to mortgage my home to buy it:eek:

Anyhow if you search on this forum as per Brady's suggestion there is quite a bit of resource on aluminium cutting....

Cheers

[myxpykalix]

Kevin,
Brady is being very subtle.....:rolleyes:
we usually say "google is your friend":eek:

I have seen many posts discussing aluminum cutting however I have only cut wood on mine...along with a couple fingers...a few clamps, ect.:rolleyes:

[coryatjohn]

>> ..a few clamps

I'm glad they make clamps out of aluminum!

[kclanton]

Aluminum clamps would be good. The other day I re-zeroed in the bottom of a deep pocket, but did not adjust my z clearance for the face, and nicked it and near missed a c-clamp. Made me pucker up a bit.