aluminum

[james mcgrew]

feeds and sppeds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Gk_...eature=related

[james mcgrew]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...s/aluminfo.php

[Joey Jarrard]

Aluminum is not as bad to cut as one may think. We use 6061 aircraft grade aluminum for the CAMaster machines. We also use a spray mister while we cut. We try to get a fine consistent mist. This not only keeps the bit cool but by being a fine mist and not soaking the site the chips are removed away from the tool path. If we over do it on the spray then the chips are a bit heavy and tend to clump up. This can make the hot chips join together get stuck in the grove cut out by the prevous tool paths and can snap a bit fast.

The fact is that cutting aluminum and other non ferrous metals can bring in jobs for you in this down economy.

Happy cutting!

[jbarber]

Joey,

Since you're bringing it up, a couple of questions:

(1) Do any of the machines in the MC or Cobra class have an extra relay output to start/stop a mister pump/compressor or air valve? I'm shopping for a new medium-format machine... (hint) ;-)

(2) What do you use for a spoilboard when cutting aluminum? I like to use MDF for "dry" jobs, but haven't found anything I really like for cutting aluminum (with a mister) yet.

Thanks,
--jim

Originally Posted by Joey Jarrard

Aluminum is not as bad to cut as one may think. We use 6061 aircraft grade aluminum for the CAMaster machines. We also use a spray mister while we cut. We try to get a fine consistent mist. This not only keeps the bit cool but by being a fine mist and not soaking the site the chips are removed away from the tool path. If we over do it on the spray then the chips are a bit heavy and tend to clump up. This can make the hot chips join together get stuck in the grove cut out by the prevous tool paths and can snap a bit fast.

The fact is that cutting aluminum and other non ferrous metals can bring in jobs for you in this down economy.

Happy cutting!

[Joey Jarrard]

1. At the time of ordering just let me know what you need. With WinCNC we have plenty inputs and outputs. All we need to do is add a relay and a signal wire. Depending on what mister you have our buy there are relays already in place and if the amp and voltage are within limits then all hard ware is in place from the get go.

2. at the shop we use mdf and skim or surface it every day. we also have some aluminum plate we use. This al depends on how much aluminum you plan to cut.

[turnerwinfield]

Hello everyone,
I'm a woodworker that has just ordered a Stinger. I use Aspire to design inlays and carvings for my boxes (turnerwinfield.com).

I was wondering if it is possible to use a router speed control box to slow down the 2.5 Porter Cable router to speeds that can be used to mill small brass bar stock with a milling bit?

Bill

[james mcgrew]

welcome aboard!!

the pc892 will slow to 10000 rpm

i have no experience with brass or whether this is slow enough

http://www.deltaportercable.com/Prod...roductID=11089

[Joey Jarrard]

Bill I have never cut any brass, but we do use o-flute up-cuts to mill aluminum up to 1" thick. My RPM for this is 16000 with a feed rate between 50 - 150 IPM depending on the diameter of the bit. My cut depth is 0.100" And will do this all day long. I would think that the brass is softer than the 6061 Aluminum we cut so I would start with these parameters and bump up until you get the result you need.