Thread: Machining
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Unread 05-01-2003, 18:08
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When cutting Al I find that using a cutting fluid called tap magic for Al works great. It stinks a little but it keeps your endmills and drill bits from getting gumed up. If you don't have any or can't get any you can mix a LITTLE kerosen with a standard oil. If you want more info on cutting oils look at the Machinery Handbook.

The Tap Magic makes one able to use four flute end mills for Al as well. You don't have to have center cutting end mills if you predrill first for the center. If you are milling a pocket you can put slight pressure on the milling handle as you crank the table back and fort.

When climb milling be really carful you can break endmills if the table gets away from you. I prefer to leave about .005" for a finish pass and use more cutting fluid on the last pass. It usually gives me a great finish.

Also if you machine any brass or copper dull your drill first. Just take a stone or a file and nock of the cutting edge. This helps keep the drill from grabbing and pulling the work piece out of the vice.