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Thread: cutting aluminum

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Lewisville, NC
    Posts
    15

    Default cutting aluminum

    Good morning,
    Can someone suggest a move speed and depth of cut on aluminum with a .25 end mill?
    Thanks, Graham

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    807

    Default

    Depends heavily on the alloy you will use.... For a 1/8" bit, depending on the alloy, I run between 1.1/.23 to 1.37/.39.

    I never set up for more than .02 depth.

    I almost always use an upcut spiral O Flute bit made for aluminum. My fave is Onsrud 63 series bits.

    My "cheapie" .25 bit is from Hartlauer. It is the 52-180h.

    You can PROBABLY run a little faster with a 1/4" bit, but I tend to keep it slow and steady, so I get a good quality cut.

    I ALWAYS SPIRAL RAMP my cuts. I often use either WD 40 or Isopropyl Alcohol dribbled on the cut line as a coolant. (Small quantities of either)

    FOr THIN aluminum, I use 16500RPM. For thicker and harder aluminums, I listen to the cutting and look at the chips and adjust until the machine does not sound like it is fighting to make the cut (and make sure the substrate, bit and spindle are all "cool". I do this between cuts, of course)

    Best of luck with your project

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Memphis TN
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    1,015

    Default

    Another critical thing is really good hold down. Movement can destroy the piece and likely your end mill. Even very slight movements due to vibrations in thin metal for instance, can cause a very poor cut and a lousy surface.

    I use the single flute "O" types too, and I've had very good luck with inexpensive pure carbide single flute no-name end mills purchased for $1.25 each on eBay. The smaller end mills seem ok for cheapo. For larger ones, I'd go with name brands. I have a couple of those 1/4" Onsrud 63's myself. They work very nicely.

    I go with lower RPM's rather than higher. I like 6,000 for 1/4" single flute O's, and 8000 RPM's for the 1/8" end mills. Using a slower cut reduces the deflection in the machine and for me, makes a nice surface and a closer tolerance.
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
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    Lewisville, NC
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    Default

    Thank you guys. Good info.
    Graham

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    546

    Default

    I agree with all that was said above and cannot stress enough, as Coryatjohn says, about hold down. Since I switched to vac table hold down cutting alum has been so successful!
    Cheers
    Buddy 48 Standard with 2.2 Hp Spindle with standard and 6' stick. Aspire 10.5
    2.2Hp universal 4 zone Vac Table

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