Can anyone give me some advise as to the method to use. What bits, speed, # of passes etc
Thanx Glenn
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i cut aluminum and dibond all the time...i know my settings are different than yours probably...but use the same speed you would for a profile cut on wood...i use a 1/4 endmill(belin)...i've never had any problems...
edit...i guess i just assumed you were cutting 040...if you are cutting something alot thicker then i can't really offer any sound advice...my router is not set up to cut heavy heavy aluminum...i don't have a coolant mist option.
[ August 19, 2003, 03:31 PM: Message edited by: KARYN BUSH ]
Posted by Glenn Thompson (Member # 1851) on :
I am hoping to be able to cut .080 aluminum without the mist.
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Glen you can. I cut .040 and .060 on a regular basis. We use a 1/4" spiral-0 upcut belin bit slowed down and cut in two passes. I have a mister and havent bothered to use it yet because of the mess the misting lube would probably make.
I havent noticed any adverse effects cutting without it. I think our feed rate is somewhere around 75 ipm and spindle speed of 21,000.
Tip: if you're using an upcut spiral and you're cutting prefinished aluminum put your face side down and you will get a cleaner finish on the face edge.
If I were cutting a lot of aluminum I would probably start using the mister.
I have already cut 1/4" aluminum in this same manner but make sure the aluminum you use is the softer alloy.
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
Ditto Bob Stevens.
You can cut 1/2" aluminum dry if you are extremely patient, go slow, multiple passes.
For small jobs, it is faster to cut slow and dry rather than turn the mister on and then clean up the mess.
We cut dry when we can. Vic G
PS I think we go about 35 IPS at an .040 depth with a 3/16 bit. Working from memory - could be wrong. RVG
[ August 19, 2003, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: VICTORGEORGIOU ]
Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Bob took care of the speeds n' feeds n' bits. Just make absolutely sure the aluminum is grade 5052 or 6160. Anything lower in grade and you'll break bit after bit after bit after bit . . . . .
This we know from experience. Unfortunately.
Also, our router bit dealer suggest single flute bits as they doesn't heat up as much. Find a qualified router bit company and compare all their suggestions for cutting aluminum. Then choose the obvious bit that all agree on.
We used water from a squirt bottle initially and then went to a cheap mister. We use water with just a tinge of soap and it works quite well for us. Very clean cuts.
[ August 19, 2003, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: Jay Allen ]
Posted by TJ Duvall (Member # 3133) on :
I cut .080" in one pass at 35-50 ipm at 19,000 rpm. I use a Onsrud 63-725 single edge upcut spiral bit. Perfect results every time. I also use the climb milling feature in Artpath(not sure what software you are using) to get the best results.
