My 1340GT

Have you tried a free machining grade of aluminum to cut down on the rats nest? I have only used 6061 so far, but have a project that calls out a 2000 series aluminum and I heard it machines so much nicer that 6061, but at about 2-3x the cost.
 
Ischgl99 said:
Have you tried a free machining grade of aluminum to cut down on the rats nest? I have only used 6061 so far, but have a project that calls out a 2000 series aluminum and I heard it machines so much nicer that 6061, but at about 2-3x the cost.
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2024 does machine really nicely but it will not automatically chip off instead of string unless your cutting conditions are right. If you have enough power and rigidity to take enough depth of cut or feed at a good enough rate then all aluminum alloys will chip instead of string when you're roughing. For the little inserts most hobby guys use, even if you can get the feed rate up high enough to break the chip, the finish suffers due to the smaller nose radii on those little inserts. Everything is a trade off and the key limiting factor is your lathe - how much power, speed and rigidity do you have? If your lathe is on the smaller side, say 12" and under, then you're going to be running at max capacity to have good chip control.

With that said, 2024 does chip easier at a lower feed rate than 6061 but at greater expense. If I recall correctly, 2024 oxidizes easier than 6061 so there is that, too.
 
I have not tried anything like that, the material cost of one bat is close to 30 dollars now. Plus the 2.5hrs, and 1 sells for a C note there's not much room to up the price. :)
 
The big strings are from the drilling process, on my roughing passes my DOC is .040-.050, and the curls break off in 1-2" springs, which go pretty far. I found a new deflector for that purpose now, a paint stir stick keeps them in the immediate vicinity:grin:
 
Aukai said:
I made it into this century, I haven't even figured out whether to use radius vs diameter, and I have been encouraged to go CNC.:surrender:I don't think so, I have enough trouble with analog....:grin:
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Ditto.
 
mikey said:
2024 does machine really nicely but it will not automatically chip off instead of string unless your cutting conditions are right. If you have enough power and rigidity to take enough depth of cut or feed at a good enough rate then all aluminum alloys will chip instead of string when you're roughing. For the little inserts most hobby guys use, even if you can get the feed rate up high enough to break the chip, the finish suffers due to the smaller nose radii on those little inserts. Everything is a trade off and the key limiting factor is your lathe - how much power, speed and rigidity do you have? If your lathe is on the smaller side, say 12" and under, then you're going to be running at max capacity to have good chip control.

With that said, 2024 does chip easier at a lower feed rate than 6061 but at greater expense. If I recall correctly, 2024 oxidizes easier than 6061 so there is that, too.
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I did read that 2024 is not that good for corrosion resistance and is best for parts that would be coated or anodized. The drawings for my project come from Germany and it specs an aluminum that is most similar to 2007, but that doesn’t look like it is available anywhere. The other one that looks similar to the specs is 2011, and from what I have found machines very nicely. But, not having machined either yet, I will defer to your knowledge :)

I have a 12x36 and have been able to get 6061 to chip, but as you say, it takes a pretty hefty cut to do that.
 
Aukai said:
The big strings are from the drilling process, on my roughing passes my DOC is .040-.050, and the curls break off in 1-2" springs, which go pretty far. I found a new deflector for that purpose now, a paint stir stick keeps them in the immediate vicinity:grin:
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After I wrote my comment, I realized that was probably the case. Cost of materials is a big issue and it hurts putting some of them in the shopping cart lol.
 
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