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Yes my friend we cut aluminum. Which variety are you routing?
I do believe choosing the right bit is the answer. We use Belin O Flutes without any cooling. The normal depth of cut is 3/16" depth on each pass, with an upspiral. The down spiral will cause heat and burn up the bit. The travel is 2" per second at 16,000.
We cut 77 4" letters with the O flute a month ago and the bit is still in use. My helper, Ron, uses these bits on everything and they hardly ever get dull.
[ May 08, 2010, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: Joe Crumley ]
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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Are you saying you can cut 3/16" deep on a single pass at 120IPM??????????
That don't work for me, the Onsud bits I am using can't hack it...
I wonder what I am doing wrong. Do you have a link to these bits you have been crowing about? I am needing some bits, I will order several if you show me where.
Belin is a German company which is part of E Leitz Corp who was famious for the Leica Cameras. I believe they are ground in France.
Like you Blake, I used to use Onsrud. They aren't even in this class.
I'd suggest you buy one of the 1/4" #33635 Up-Cut. O flutes have an exagerated rake which pulls the waste out of the way. This keeps them cooler.
Good luck and keep us informaed.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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What I was asking about was the hardness of your .040. The 6061 is hard and the softer 3031 cuts at a completely different speed. Once you figure out the feed and speeds of a particular variety it's good to stay with that.
A general problem when first routing aluminum is gaulding, heat, on the router bit. This is caused because the chips aren't extracted and ball up on the end. That happend most often on the softer metals. The Belin should assist with this problem.
[ May 09, 2010, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: Joe Crumley ]
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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1mm thick! I use a 3/16 carbide up flute bit 18000 rpm at 1.25 inches sec. I use 1mm for the backs of pan letters for the Accubend and clincher all day long.
-------------------- Bill'n'Annie Davidson Heathcote, NSW, Aus. my Aussie wife, a Toohey's Old, my Holden Ute, Retired from the rat race! Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Wayne Are you talking a hand router or a cnc router? A cnc router with coolant and the right bit, and settings will cut as thick of aluminum as you want. A hand router could undoubtedly cut .040 but would be more difficult to use than a jig saw.IMO
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