NEWBIE: What do I need to cut 2mm anodised alu?

**komatias** · 21-09-2015

Fin,

This is probably going to start a flame war but have seen 3 startups recently spend too much time trying to learn CNC and failing due to lack of time.

Because you are aiming for perfection on your face plates, I would suggest you get them outsourced. That way you can claim warranty should the products not be to spec. You will just need to make drawings for your parts that are descriptive and precise.

Should you still want to go and buy a machine, then you will be better served if you look at the 6040 variety with a watercooled spindle. You will need to add a coolant delivery system and probably upgrade the cables and some of the electronics.

Based on the machine you linked to, am I right in assuming you are working on a small budget? Because realistically you will need to spend upwards of £1000 to get a good machine if buying brand new. Then you will need software etc so your budget will be increased. With £2000 you will probably be able to get plenty of perfect faceplates without ever coming close to a CNC machine yourself.

Best regards

George

**Boyan Silyavski** · 21-09-2015

Originally Posted by komatias

Fin,

This is probably going to start a flame war but have seen 3 startups recently spend too much time trying to learn CNC and failing due to lack of time.

Because you are aiming for perfection on your face plates, I would suggest you get them outsourced. That way you can claim warranty should the products not be to spec. You will just need to make drawings for your parts that are descriptive and precise.

George

You are absolutely right if he is planning to sell less than 50-60 pieces the following 365 days.

If he is planning to sell >100 per year its definitely worth the investment.

Its math, nothing more or less.

Fin,
Take a look at that story so you will know better what you are up to. As i said before, small mill, make money, better mill...

So at the end you could make more money making more product and offering it at more places and so on, or you could not. There is a risque and a lot of work behind any project...

**Boyan Silyavski** · 21-09-2015

PS. this is the other interesting link that shows how things developed after one year with the small mill. these guys have awesome blog that all aspiring people should check

**futuresoundsystems** · 21-09-2015

Thanks guys! Obviously not quite the route (no pun intended) that I should take right now then. I'll carry on my quest to find suppliers. Really good to know what I should be looking for when I hopefully make the step in a few years' time though.

**DuffelBuffelWuffel** · 23-09-2015

I have done milling of alu frontpanels before and it is doable.

The scratches are from having the (secondary) front plate laying around on the workbench.
Also I try to make the "brushed" look by going over the frontpanel with some fine sandpaper.
It is much easier to buy the brushed aluminium in the first place.

This was done with a 2F endmill with the wrong coating that should not be used with alu... It was also the first thing I made with my cnc.
It is a Conrad alu frontplate 1.5? mm thick.
I also have a vacuum fixture now.

I usually have spare time in my weekend. If you want me to try something out than just PM me.

A good cnc machine for a small business is around 5-7K euro ex vat depending on the requirements.
Spending money on something cheaper is most likely a waste.

It also takes a bunch of time learning cnc'ing and setting stuff up. So If you look at the full picture you can "spend" 10k euro ex vat quite fast.
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With the correct VHM blank alu 1-2 flute endmills , some compressed air and a little lubrication it is not hard.