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- Location
- Reno NV
For some reason, I got a project in my head of some things I wanted to make. I thought it would be fun to work at making some custom 'coins' out of aluminum. Mainly I thought it would be fun to learn how to mill aluminum.
What I've learned is:
1) Calculating Chip load is very helpful. Instead of just randomly plugging in feed rates, it helps to use it as a guide.
2) When cutting Aluminum, In my case, Lubrication helps. I just used som tapping fluid, but it made a huge difference in how things cut.
3) When cutting little discs out of aluminum, I had much better luck doing a rough cut, and then a final finish cut to cut it out.
4) Explore the simple engraved lines more than than necessarily doing a bunch of vcarves.
5) I should really look at getting some smaller bits than 1/8", 1/16" might be enough to help with pocketing some smaller areas.
6) I gets really cold standing around in the garage at temperatures right around freezing watching a CNC run it's programs.
What I've learned is:
1) Calculating Chip load is very helpful. Instead of just randomly plugging in feed rates, it helps to use it as a guide.
2) When cutting Aluminum, In my case, Lubrication helps. I just used som tapping fluid, but it made a huge difference in how things cut.
3) When cutting little discs out of aluminum, I had much better luck doing a rough cut, and then a final finish cut to cut it out.
4) Explore the simple engraved lines more than than necessarily doing a bunch of vcarves.
5) I should really look at getting some smaller bits than 1/8", 1/16" might be enough to help with pocketing some smaller areas.
6) I gets really cold standing around in the garage at temperatures right around freezing watching a CNC run it's programs.