TCT Router cutters in a mill running at 4000 RPM

[suesi34e]

Thanks Geoffrey,

Thank you for your post. What I am hearing from you guys TCT cutters, slowspeeds and wood are far from an ideal match. I will look out for a good CNCrouter when ready for one!

If you or anyone finds a great starting source for just getting going on a CNCmill it would be very gratefully received a starting guide or pitfalls toavoid!

Many thanks

Suesi

[suesi34e]

Hi EddyCurrent,

Thank you for your thoughts, what you say makes sense. I think I will keep myeye out for a nice CNC router for future projects in wood. There seems to besome good spec ones from China to import. I had a look at your router build logamazing what a job you did. I watched the YouTube video too. I glad all thehard work turned out to be so worthwhile. I hope things go well for you.

All the best

Suesi

[Fivetide]

You could always rig up a dust extractor which is mostly essential for wood, also a bigger cutter will help.

I stand there with my vac following the cutter.. no dust so far. Did try to make a boot but failed completely.. MDF's the worst I find, blow you nose and it looks like a miners ear !

[suesi34e]

Hi Jonathan,

Thank you for the info, I have thought of a way I could make a false table tocover most area from dust with the aid of extraction in mind. However, it doesnot sound all that successful running the TCT router cutters at a slow speed soI wonder if I am better just sticking with the normal materials for when itcomes to the mill. I do not want to cause issues at this stage as I am not upon CNC matters as it is just learning, well trying too!

I think they are your build logs at the bottom of your msg I look forward tohave a look at them for sure

All the best

Suesi

[suesi34e]

Hi Fivetide,

Thank you for your post. Are you machining wood if so at what speed and are you using tct cutters?

Many thanks

Suesi

[Fivetide]

Hi Suesi, I tend to use whatever settings are recomended in my tool path software. They have far more experience at that sort of thing than me. Im Lucky as my spindle will hit 50k rpm if needed.

[EddyCurrent]

Some good books here
Engineering - Books - DVDs & Books | Axminster.co.uk
Video crash course in milling
Crash Course in Milling: Chapter 1 - Basic Machine Anatomy, by Glacern Machine Tools - YouTube

It's best to make sure you know good practice and good habits first, there's nothing worse than someone who is experienced in bad habits.

[suesi34e]

Hi EddyCurrent,

Many thanks for the links I have watched the YouTube videos they are great and feature some nice kit. I may buy a book or two from Axminster when I next place an order.

Many thanks

Suesi

[Neale]

If I needed to cut wood and didn't have a high-speed spindle, I would cheerfully use my milling machine. And have done. Yes, you need to clamp the work down firmly, you need to take care with feed speed, etc. No, the finish might not be great, and yes, you do need to cover up slides and screws for protection against dust. Newspaper works well! It's as much of a compromise as using a handheld router to cut aluminium (people on this forum have done this - but you need to be very aware of what you are doing) or using a wood-cutting bandsaw to cut aluminium (I do that all the time, and accept that blade wear might be a bit high). But it can work - might get you out of a hole for the odd job. Just don't make a habit of it!

[suesi34e]

Hi Neale

Many thanks for your post and thoughts. I think I willlearn on plastic and aluminum first and use wood as a last resort. I see whatyou mean about when machining certain materials some compromises have to bemade.

Many thanks

Suesi