Milling mild steel

**Jonathan** · 04-09-2013

9000rpm is far too fast for a 6mm cutter in mild steel. For things to be easy you'd want around 1000-2000rpm, but that's not happening with the spindle you have so just see how low you can set the speed without the spindle tooling.

You'd also be better off using a cutter with more flutes, e.g. 3 or 4. Depending on the spindle speed you can use, you may need to use cutters with a special coating - e.g. the blue ones from cutwell tools.

Originally Posted by mekanik

Hi Dudz
Try a look @ these SLOT DRILLS
they are used for producing keyways

Doesn't say if they're HSS or carbide? I'm guessing from the price that they're HSS. Carbide is definitely needed here due to the high spindle speed.

**dudz** · 04-09-2013

Ah thx. Might be better to use a 4mm 4flute in the blue ones then ? and just do more passes.

**Robin Hewitt** · 04-09-2013

Don't do this to me, I am definitely a 20th century machinist. If you tell me you can cut soft wood with your milling machine, I try and persuade you to cut a square peg because I know it isn't going to work. If you tell me you have this magical tool bit that lets you cut mild steel using a woodworking router, I want to see one you did earlier because I don't believe you

**Jonathan** · 04-09-2013

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

If you tell me you have this magical tool bit that lets you cut mild steel using a woodworking router, I want to see one you did earlier because I don't believe you

See here...

I did that with a generic carbide endmill. Admittedly that machine is probably a little stronger than dudz's machine...

**Robin Hewitt** · 04-09-2013

Originally Posted by Jonathan

I did that with a generic carbide endmill.

Did what? That's a machine build thread (Imagine I could find a bewildered smiley here - grin)

**Jonathan** · 04-09-2013

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

Did what? That's a machine build thread (Imagine I could find a bewildered smiley here - grin)

The last three images in the build log show some parts I cut with that machine from steel.

**Robin Hewitt** · 04-09-2013

Originally Posted by Jonathan

The last three images in the build log show some parts I cut with that machine from steel.

Wow, you made a router that was heavier than your milling machine ? This is most excellent.
.
But even so, hand on your heart, would you really recommend it for cutting steel?

**JAZZCNC** · 04-09-2013

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

If you tell me you have this magical tool bit that lets you cut mild steel using a woodworking router, I want to see one you did earlier because I don't believe you

Cutting steel is easy enough with a router provided the machines stiff enough and you use the correct tool for the Job.!
Yes compared to a milling machine it's slow going and your not ripping more scratching away in comparison but most certainly possible and something I've done many times.

Cutwells X5070 Blue Nanograin carbide 4 flute cutters are the magical tool you'll be looking for Robin.!!

**Robin Hewitt** · 05-09-2013

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Cutting steel is easy enough with a router provided the machines stiff enough and you use the correct tool for the Job.!

I'm not going to argue because you'll just get cross (Why is there no :sad: smiley? Even I could draw a freakin' sad smiley)

**JAZZCNC** · 05-09-2013

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

I'm not going to argue because you'll just get cross (Why is there no :sad: smiley? Even I could draw a freakin' sad smiley)

Unless your calling Jonathan and me lier's then to me Nothing to Argue about.!!. . . . You said it can't be done, Jonathan showed you proof it could and I'm telling you I've done it many times and pointed you to the tools to do it. . . Nuff said.!!