I think I'll order a longer end mill. Either I wasn't looking hard enough, or they weren't in stock when I bought the shorter one. I definitely see some 1/2" and 3/4" long flute options now. And I realized I do have a few of the inventables single flute bits. They worked for me on my other aluminum experiments, but man the coated aluminum specific bit sure did cut nicely! I think I'll hold out for the real deal.
Thanks everyone for the fixturing ideas. That's been one really fun aspect of learning all this stuff.
Cutter flute lenght for Aluminum
Re: Cutter flute lenght for Aluminum
The aluminum specific bits do a great job. They just cost a little more, and the two that I have owned one snapped and the other got all gummed up when I was still figuring out the whole cooling thing. The last few parts I have built I just used the stock ones and they held up just fine.
Shapeoko # 1458
RT0701C Spindle || dual y motor || x axis nema23 with custom carriage 1000mm length || z axis nema23 linear rail upgrade with 1/2-10 ACME
RT0701C Spindle || dual y motor || x axis nema23 with custom carriage 1000mm length || z axis nema23 linear rail upgrade with 1/2-10 ACME
Re: Cutter flute lenght for Aluminum
The air hose should keep things from getting gummed up. I don't like manual applications of coolant and they can be inconsistent and provide thermal shock to the tool which weakens it. Check out little machine shop as they sell a small simple mist coolant setup ($35 IIRC) that you can run as an air blast or drop the suction hose into a container of coolant for mist cooling.
Brian
Shapeoko 2 #I have no idea
HF cutout tool, 72oz nema 17 steppers, TB6600 stepper drivers, Mach3 control
Shapeoko 2 #I have no idea
HF cutout tool, 72oz nema 17 steppers, TB6600 stepper drivers, Mach3 control