Bernd
Well-Known Member
Here's a tip for you guys with a X2 mill.
I had to cut a 3/8" wide slot into a piece of steel that is 1.25" thick. Now that's quite a bit of metal to be removed for such a small mill. I solved the problem by chain drilling, then using a 3/8" dia. end mill to mill out the webs left and finally took a smoothing cut on both sides. Here are some pics of how I did it.
First I drilled 3/8" holes spaced 1/2" on center.
Then I milled out the web between the drilled holes. This was a very touchy cut. The machine jumped and vibrated all over the place until I found the right speed and manual feed rate. I made sure the Z-gib was very tight.
This is what it looks like when all the webs are milled out. Now for a bit of side cutting to clean up both sides of the slot.
And here is the finished product.
This slot will have an aluminum tool holder installed with a HSS cutter. I'm making a large boring tool. When I get it completed I'll post a pic. It'll be used in my Buffalo Drill press for making drag car motor plates. I'll explain when done.
Bernd
I had to cut a 3/8" wide slot into a piece of steel that is 1.25" thick. Now that's quite a bit of metal to be removed for such a small mill. I solved the problem by chain drilling, then using a 3/8" dia. end mill to mill out the webs left and finally took a smoothing cut on both sides. Here are some pics of how I did it.
First I drilled 3/8" holes spaced 1/2" on center.
Then I milled out the web between the drilled holes. This was a very touchy cut. The machine jumped and vibrated all over the place until I found the right speed and manual feed rate. I made sure the Z-gib was very tight.
This is what it looks like when all the webs are milled out. Now for a bit of side cutting to clean up both sides of the slot.
And here is the finished product.
This slot will have an aluminum tool holder installed with a HSS cutter. I'm making a large boring tool. When I get it completed I'll post a pic. It'll be used in my Buffalo Drill press for making drag car motor plates. I'll explain when done.
Bernd