That would work..
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Need to make a big hole in Aluminum plate
- Thread starter Investigator
- Start date
That would work..
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How small?
You are going to need clearance off the table so the end mill does not eat the table as the part turns around.
You are going to need a means to hold part to table while milling.
Other than that:: perfect.
Locate your hole with your mill by drilling and then put a boring bar in a collett that will enable you to true up the hole. Either a fixed bar or use a bar that takes high speed. True the hole up then put it in your four jaw on the lathe and indicate the hole then your hole place is accurate. Now either bore the rest or use what you have to get close like a holesaw if you don t Have any big drills. I wouldn t trepan a hole that deep as everything has to be spot on when treppanning and the tool needs to be done well.
I have no idea what a RF 30/31 mill is but can you not interpolate such a small hole?
If not use a cheap fly cutter as a rough boring head after a hole saw or drill has made a starting hole, use a dial indicator to set the tool diameter.
This is slow and tedious but you only require one part correct?
If not use a cheap fly cutter as a rough boring head after a hole saw or drill has made a starting hole, use a dial indicator to set the tool diameter.
This is slow and tedious but you only require one part correct?
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- Jan 28, 2011
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- 3,586
These are 2 possible ways I would do this job. The Wire EDM machine would love this easy job but you have what you need to do the job.
I would use a 2 flute 3/8 or 1/2” end mill made for Aluminum. Rotary table with a 1/4” sacrificial piece of plywood or plastic cutting board. Bore your center hole which will be used to locate on center of rotary table. Use a 2 flute end mill and work down to pass half way, like about 1/4 to 1/2” from bottom. or cut through into that sacrificial plate.
Careful please read this part!
You do not want the center piece to break loose and trap the end mill as you approach the end of the cut. So with leaving 2 small retaining tabs about 180 degrees apart to hold the center plug in place. When done you should have a plug that is cut all the way except for two small areas that you can cut with a small saw and then blend into the rest of the cut.
Or flip before completely cutting through and avoid the sacrificial plate and cut down to about 1/4 to 1/2” left and flip, locate on the center hole again and continue to clear the remaining part but still leave the retaining tabs to hand cut at the end.
I would use a 2 flute 3/8 or 1/2” end mill made for Aluminum. Rotary table with a 1/4” sacrificial piece of plywood or plastic cutting board. Bore your center hole which will be used to locate on center of rotary table. Use a 2 flute end mill and work down to pass half way, like about 1/4 to 1/2” from bottom. or cut through into that sacrificial plate.
Careful please read this part!
You do not want the center piece to break loose and trap the end mill as you approach the end of the cut. So with leaving 2 small retaining tabs about 180 degrees apart to hold the center plug in place. When done you should have a plug that is cut all the way except for two small areas that you can cut with a small saw and then blend into the rest of the cut.
Or flip before completely cutting through and avoid the sacrificial plate and cut down to about 1/4 to 1/2” left and flip, locate on the center hole again and continue to clear the remaining part but still leave the retaining tabs to hand cut at the end.
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- Oct 13, 2014
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A fly-cutter will work like a boring head, it's just harder to adjust. Here is a video of using one to cut a relief but it works for holes as well
Make the initial hole with a hole-saw.
