Quote Originally Posted by Richard View Post
OK, I'll get a 2 flute uncoated from APT and see how it goes. The cutters I have are coated but I don't know what with.

The part I was machining is the bed of the machine, so no idea what grade it is. I just wanted it flat(er) and level.

Once I get the new 2 flute cutter, is 6k rpm and 500mm/min, dry, still in the right ball park for taking a shallow finishing cut at say 90% engagement?



Just for my own interest, if there is build up on the tips of the cutter, how does that erode the tip?


Thanks for the input!
Noooo. Don't cut the bed.

Get a board, sheet of ali, whatever you want to use and stick it on top. The bed is made of several independent pieces of extrusion and even if you machine it 'flat' they will flex independently anyway. Also you're then tied in to the cutting area, you can't really load a bigger piece in and clamp it outside the work area.