Save my sanity - 1050 grade aluminium

[Wal]

I cut some parts from 1050 the other week. Yes, it's a bit of a devil to cut but I found the slower the better... These are the parts I cut:



And here's a clip of the machine at work. (Yes, that is the alu sheet bending while getting spot drilled - I was feeling my way around the RPMs needed...)



And here are some cutting details - all very conservative:

Spot drill - 10k RPM
HSS Through Drill - 5k RPM
3mm 2 Flute Carbide Cutter - 10k RPM
1mm 2 Flute Carbide Cutter - 13k RPM
Plunge rates at around 0.75-1mm/sec
Feed rates no higher than 3.5mm/sec

WD40 - a must. The cutter squeals a bit without it...

Wal.