I think my compressor can keep up with each feature at a time, with the possible exception of the longest chunk of radius. I'll let it build up and rest between features. I usually use a spray bottle full of kerosene with a bit of motor oil sparingly on Al. I would entertain non flammable ideas though if I was adding compressed air to the process.
-
Welcome back Guest! Did you know you can mentor other members here at H-M? If not, please check out our Relaunch of Hobby Machinist Mentoring Program!
Small 2 flute deep slotting aluminum
- Thread starter LEEQ
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2016
- Messages
- 13,211
Keep it wet and use a wet/dry vac .
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2022
- Messages
- 1,149
Keep it wet and use a wet/dry vac .
Perfect suggestion. Clears chips and keeps your stuff clean.
Cutting oil is my blood.
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2022
- Messages
- 1,149
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2016
- Messages
- 13,211
LOL . When leaving Cameron there was a tractor parade going on . Had to wait 5 minutes or so at the intersection and got many pics of the machines . Seems they have plenty of diesel out there !
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2013
- Messages
- 4,400
Do you want a 1/4" wide slot? Or are you targeting a large dimension? I'm asking as you won't get a 1/4" slot by slotting with a 1/4" endmill. Plus the finish on the walls of the slot will look pretty terrible trying to do it in one pass.
I would a) chain drill it with a 3/16" drill, then full depth with a 3/16" endmill and either finish with the same by taking the rest off each side of the slot or swap in a 1/4" endmill to finish width and depth or b) use the same 3/16" endmill, cut the slots in probably 3 passes then finish as above.
Endmills always slot oversize, more so when you run them full depth. And I don't think you'll have a cat in hells chance of keeping that slot clear of chips at the cutting edge when you're cutting 2.5xD. Slotting deep features is perhaps one of the most difficult milling operations to pull off well in my experience.
I would a) chain drill it with a 3/16" drill, then full depth with a 3/16" endmill and either finish with the same by taking the rest off each side of the slot or swap in a 1/4" endmill to finish width and depth or b) use the same 3/16" endmill, cut the slots in probably 3 passes then finish as above.
Endmills always slot oversize, more so when you run them full depth. And I don't think you'll have a cat in hells chance of keeping that slot clear of chips at the cutting edge when you're cutting 2.5xD. Slotting deep features is perhaps one of the most difficult milling operations to pull off well in my experience.
The outside dimensions of this part aren't critical, but it does need a good finish. I thought about drilling ahead of milling. My dro can give me coordinants for an approximate arc. Maybe I could do that on a slightly larger diameter and then come in to final dimension for a sweeping pass. I can plunge with the two flute can't I? I thought I understood them to be center cutting. I could see the drill having advantages like chips clearing . A mill could be used to make tighter steps making for less work on the clean up pass though.
I was hoping to avoid making progressively deeper passes especially the areas that require the part to rotate, but it's looking like a whole lot of work to avoid it. Maybe instead I'll start a bit proud and take it to depth in steps . taking a light finish pass to diameter at full depth. Any thoughts as to how deep of a pass to take with the mill when full contact slotting? Like 1 x diameter, or?
Similar threads
