routing aluminium help :)

**don_jarr** · 29-05-2012

Hi All

many thanks for the info, I will get a couple of bits of alloy sheet and have a play and if the results turn out ok post some pictures.

Many thanks again

:) Don

**JAZZCNC** · 29-05-2012

Originally Posted by don_jarr

Hi All

many thanks for the info, I will get a couple of bits of alloy sheet and have a play and if the results turn out ok post some pictures.

Many thanks again

:) Don

When you say sheet what do you have in mind.? . . . Reason I ask is, if thin sheet 3-4mm then most tends to be low grade 1050 stuff and very shity sticky stuff. The grade of aluminium makes a big difference to cut quality. I mainly work with 6 series, 5 series if I have too but not keen unless harder grade 5083 H32 has lesser grades can be sticky with hard spots.!!

**don_jarr** · 30-05-2012

Hi m8

I have no idea the grade, its 4mm thick from where my dad used to work and when they shut down it was being chucked out, so I grabbed it all, (like you do when no one is looking lol). Its quite hard to drill, but they used to make displays cabinates, so guessing its not going to be high grade stuff seeing as it was only for shelves signs and odd stuff like that.

:) Don

**JAZZCNC** · 30-05-2012

Chances are it is.!! . . But You'll know soon has you start cutting. . It gums up the cutter and gives a really bad finish if the feeds and speeds are not perfect.
When you have it wrong it tends to leave a torn like finish, mainly because thats whats happening. Because it's soft it's getting torn rather than cut away if the feeds and speeds arn't correct. . . . . Unfortunatly can't help much here has it's trial and error more often than not finding the right cutting conditions for this shity stuff.!!

The one thing I will say is don't take your eye of it for a minute because when it does start to gum up the cutter it happens very quick and with only a slight audible warning.!!
Cutting this stuff is the one time I do recommend you use absolutly loads of cutting fluid other wise it will gum up for sure.!!

**don_jarr** · 31-05-2012

Hi All

Well had a bash and adjusted the speeds as recommended to start from, and only had a 2 flute cutters but they were all new so nice and sharp and apart from altering the cut depth to make it a bit shallower which meant it took longer to do, they came out ok. Bit of clean up along the top edges, but by the time there polished and painted they will look ok. Pedals done, now onto the gear gate.

Will post pictures asap, and many thanks again.

:) Don