First Aluminium cut

[Jonathan]

Eh Jonathan don't know if you saw hint in earlier post but I've gone and done it.!!

I did notice, but there's been a day since I read that post and I've been watching too much star trek so I forgot to respond!
You've nicely proven the point that a bit more force, and therefore more mass, on the gantry doesn't make that much difference to the feedrate you can get which is why rotating ballnuts are so good even thought they add a bit of weight to the gantry. I wont bore you with the calculations but I'm not surprised it didn't make much difference to the feedrate.

Does it still work as well when cutting on the axis which is still horizontal? I should think it would as the cutter will tend to throw the chips out...

Originally I was going to go one step further (pun not intended) and mount mine on the ceiling ... but now it's too heavy for that. Perhaps I should reconsider.

with a Knackerd 6mm single flute cutter in case it snapped and it didn't bat an eye lid.

Do you regrind the single flute cutters when they get chipped or worn? I do and can get equal if not better finish after grinding the cutter by hand...

when finished and properly in place and setup I'll post a thread.

I look forward to it and not post any more on the subject in this thread.

[JAZZCNC]

Does it still work as well when cutting on the axis which is still horizontal? I should think it would as the cutter will tend to throw the chips out...

Originally I was going to go one step further (pun not intended) and mount mine on the ceiling ... but now it's too heavy for that. Perhaps I should reconsider.

Last I'm going to say on james thread and I will start a thread later tonight when I get time so you and others can ask Q's. . . .But I'll answer this here.

Yes it works almost as good thou obviously not got full gravity and clearence like on up stroke, but still far far better than when flat and like you say chips throw and fall away better.

There is only one negative over conventional and that is clamping, well not clamping but holding the material while clamping. This is an easy get round and I'll just have an sliding rest that holds material while I clamp then slideout the way for cutting. This I think would be the biggest flaw to your Idea of ceiling mounting.!!

Yes I regrind some times but usually when stuck for a cutter not as a matter of course. Thou I have got a nice little collection growing to give a friend to take to work for regrinding on a proper tool grinder.