Anodized aluminum engraving

[David Warkentin]

One of my first jobs for the new machine is going to be engraving some names on small anodized aluminum tags. Will I need a diamond drag bit for this? Anybody have any experience with this? I searched but most seem to be on plain aluminum.

[homersmth24]

I have never engraved anodized aluminum but I have done a lot with raw 6061. I would recommend a good solid carbide 60 degree V bit. In my experience .009" deep 16000 RPM and 9 IPM turns out really nice.

[TinKnocker]

I am interested to hear the results. I tried engraving some durablack which I suspect is anodized and it didn't penetrate enough. Some areas it did and some it didn't. I have not tried Homer's method at all, I didn't think you could use a v-bit on aluminum.

[Cdarby67]

@Homersmith24,

One of the materials i wish to work with is T6061 as well. I have the 3watt spindle on the Stinger III. I did not get the Phenolic plenum. Do you use lubricant when cutting the T6061? What set up?

I had planned on using carbide O flute upcuts. and vacuum the chips with a shop-vac in an attempt to not pollute my dust collection system.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Clint

[Jim Becker]

If you are going to cut metal like that aluminum, consider making a fixture out of melamine or whatever that will both help contain the shavings (you shouldn't pull metal in with the dust collector..even a shop vac should be 'after the fact' to insure nothing hot gets sucked in) and also resist any fluid if you choose to use some.