First cut in aluminium. Disaster.

[Edward]

Absolutely, making mistakes is part of the process of learning. I'd better stock on some more endmills then")

Edward

[njhussey]

Get some 2 flute ones or single flute....I get mine from APT, not the cheapest but good service.

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[Zeeflyboy]

Just FYI for future reference, if you can't get the chip weld off then just buy some caustic soda (better to go with pure than drain cleaner) and it'll dissolve the Alu but leave the carbide.

I've also had some great success with single flute aluminium end mills from aliexpress - there are some very high quality ones and they don't cost a fortune... but friendlier to high rpm and feed.

Some Alu is more gummy than others too - do you know what type you were milling?

[Zeeflyboy]

This thread actually reminded me that I had two gummed up roughing bits that I needed to sort out. totally welded solid and couldn't pick it off.

Bits before:




Magic stuff:




bubbling away (and no I wasn't using the hob on bare glass, it was just the best place to put it with the extractor right above):




Magic!

[Robin Hewitt]

Make sure it is not pure aluminium, almost impossible to cut. Is it rucking up in front of the cutter? Always a risk when you grab a piece of "scrap"

[A_Camera]

This thread actually reminded me that I had two gummed up roughing bits that I needed to sort out. totally welded solid and couldn't pick it off.

Bits before:

I had pictures like this in my mind before I decided to try and make my first cut in alu, so I was very surprised that it went so well for me.



I was so glad to see the aluminum chip spraying, and the end results were really nice.

Magic stuff:

Good to know in case I need it next time. Did some more aluminum since the first time and the results have been good so far.

I am using 4-flute, dry milling at pretty high RPM and feed rate and it seems to work well on the material I used so far.

[Zeeflyboy]

Yeah it generally only happens to me when I'm trying out a new bit and figuring out limits or pushing too hard without lube (oi oi sailor!)

I usually use single flute with aluminium and it works a treat - check out the size of these big beautiful chips!