Will the openbuilds ox cut aluminium?

[davejavu123]

Does anyone think this will be able to cut aluminium? That's between 2 to 4 mm thick??

http://openbuilds.com/builds/ooznest-ox-cnc-machine.2084/

[njhussey]

Yes I would think so just but taking light shallow cuts....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8F6S2Q1A3Q

[davejavu123]

do you think if i added some extra reinforcement it may work a bit better
??

[Robin Hewitt]

Nothing cuts aluminium nicely, but given the right aluminium alloy the right tool bit and the patience of a saint you could succeed, but, you might wonder if more orthodox linear bearings could have saved your hair :thumsup:

[Nick999]

Hi, What is the rating of your spindle" I have a 500 Watt example on order and I am hoping to use it for aluminium...

[magicniner]

The cut in that video would have sounded better and smoked less if the "builder" (I use the term lightly) had
Used air to clear chips
Added a regular squirt of WD40 or similar
Used a decent spindle clamp

As daft as it sounds, adding mass to the spindle mount wouldn't hurt, as a general rule of thumb you can never have too much mass or rigidity in a machining system, especially in areas subject to vibration.