The New Machine

[fragger6662000]

depends on what you are cutting and rigidity of the machine.

On my converted mill at 2000rpm in alloy i take 2mm DOC at 200mm/min

When i increase the sindle speed to 3000 i could take 3mm at 300mm/min

WD40 and GT85 make great cutting fuild for alloy

[Jonathan]

Assuming a slot 2000rpm with 2mm DOC at 200mm/min sounds reasonable (as long as there is some cutting fluid/coolant around), however the tool deflection is borderline so it may not get a good finish. I would use that then at the end do a finishing pass taking say 0.2mm off all round at full depth.

Since the tool is 2 flute use half the feed for plunging (i.e. it's as if it only has one flute), so 100mm/min. Maybe a bit less, see how it goes.

WD40 does work well, but I doubt it does the machine ways much good. If you don't already have any it's well worth investing in the proper stuff.

P.S. Get some 6mm single flute carbide cutters - you won't regret it! I've just been cutting 3/4" thick aluminium with them on my router at 540mm/min, but only 1mm depth of cut. It may well do more but I'm not going to risk it without coolant.

EDIT: I'm assuming 'cut some bittlet' means aluminium! Also the above depends on other factors, such as if it's a deep slot...

[Ricardoco]

Assuming a slot 2000rpm with 2mm DOC at 200mm/min sounds reasonable (as long as there is some cutting fluid/coolant around), however the tool deflection is borderline so it may not get a good finish. I would use that then at the end do a finishing pass taking say 0.2mm off all round at full depth.

Since the tool is 2 flute use half the feed for plunging (i.e. it's as if it only has one flute), so 100mm/min. Maybe a bit less, see how it goes.

WD40 does work well, but I doubt it does the machine ways much good. If you don't already have any it's well worth investing in the proper stuff.

P.S. Get some 6mm single flute carbide cutters - you won't regret it! I've just been cutting 3/4" thick aluminium with them on my router at 540mm/min, but only 1mm depth of cut. It may well do more but I'm not going to risk it without coolant.

EDIT: I'm assuming 'cut some bittlet' means aluminium! Also the above depends on other factors, such as if it's a deep slot...

Hi Jonathan, you and fragger seem to be of similar opinions on this so i will take those settings as a theoretical maximum, and do a finishing pass as well, ( If you don't already have any it's well worth investing in the proper stuff.
) I have.. Thanks for the input it really is much better than those calculators because they dont explain the 'Why' just the 'What'....

[Ricardoco]

depends on what you are cutting and rigidity of the machine.

On my converted mill at 2000rpm in alloy i take 2mm DOC at 200mm/min

When i increase the sindle speed to 3000 i could take 3mm at 300mm/min

WD40 and GT85 make great cutting fuild for alloy

Thanks Fragger The material is 6082 Aluminium Plate, the machine is very rigid piece of kit...