Quote Originally Posted by jmac80 View Post
does anyone have a small chinese style router i could send a small bit of aluminium sheet to to see if it cuts a shape ok?
i just don't want to spend a heap of money on one if it doesn't work! :)
It will to some extent depend on how it's cut.
If you use a single flute ally cutter with a bit of light lube and have Cam software that will generate paths that move around the shape whilst ramipng down into the material at a constant rate, you should get a fairly neat cut. This is because you can set the depth of cut so it doesn't overstretch the machine rigidity whilst getting your part out at the optimum speed without multiple tool retractions.
Personally I wouldn't miss out on the chance to buy a CNC mill, Cad/Cam software and fly press ;-)

- Nick