Aspire - Nesting Software

[Smiler]

John could you not get this job done faster using a holesaw ? i'v never used Tufnol but i have been using holesaws to cut well holes lol in ali and its quite a quick way to do it ?

Ever tried a Forstner bit?

I was having a terrible time cutting a 40mm hole thru 30mm ally, contant clogging and getting very very hot despite coolant and the slowest speed on the pillar drill. Then this mad idea comes in my head "use the force Luke" sorry, "try a Forstner Jeff, try a Forstner" It cut like butter,and left a milled finish in the hole and this was a cheap £15 quid TiN coated set from Costco, Mastergrip I think. Being HSS they won't last as long as carbide but they are easy to sharpen.

Jeff. (we need a top tips forum)

[John S]

I used to do them with a hole saw. It used to go like this.

Grab sheet and drill 1/2 way thru with hole saw.
Turn over and drill from other side because the hole saw spelches the Tufnol if you go thru in one pass and wrecks the blank
Put each blank in lathe one at a time and bore centre hole to -0.00 +0.02
Mount 10 blanks on a mandrel and turn to OD.

Transfer to gear hobber.

Now it goes.

Screw cut sheet to router table.
Press go.
Go have tea
Come back and remove sheet,
Cut tabs with Stanley knife

Transfer to gear hobber