TCT Router cutters in a mill running at 4000 RPM

[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