Hi there,
I've been member of this site for 3 or 4 months and just look with amazement at some of the work being done by members. I am based near Lichfield in the UK. I have workshop with several lathes (Colchester Student and Myford 7) and and milling machine (Chester Super Lux) but cannot find the time to use them as I would like. I have been trying today to mill a 1/4" wide slot 2.5" long in a 1/4inch thick aluminium sheet. I am using a 1/4" dia. 4 flute slot cutter. It pierces down through the aluminium OK and cuts the first 1/2" of the slot and then the ali just builds up on the cutter and it ceases to cut. I am not geared up to use cutting fluid. I have had problems every time I have tried to mill aluminium. What am I doing wrong.
Thanks in advance,
Colin
I've been member of this site for 3 or 4 months and just look with amazement at some of the work being done by members. I am based near Lichfield in the UK. I have workshop with several lathes (Colchester Student and Myford 7) and and milling machine (Chester Super Lux) but cannot find the time to use them as I would like. I have been trying today to mill a 1/4" wide slot 2.5" long in a 1/4inch thick aluminium sheet. I am using a 1/4" dia. 4 flute slot cutter. It pierces down through the aluminium OK and cuts the first 1/2" of the slot and then the ali just builds up on the cutter and it ceases to cut. I am not geared up to use cutting fluid. I have had problems every time I have tried to mill aluminium. What am I doing wrong.
Thanks in advance,
Colin