Engraving Aluminum...

Another question about feeds and speeds...

Could anyone who has had some success engraving aluminum on a home made machine give me an idea of where I should start?

I'm going to be using a 60deg 1/4 bit Onsrud 37-31, 10K RPM

Adam,

Merry Christmas!

It really depends on your machine and how stiff it is. Chuck up the tool bit as short as possible. I guess I would start out light with maybe a 0.005 DOC and 10 IPM. Use plenty of cutting fluid, WD40 works good on aluminum, as does soy oil for engraving.

Thanks Jim.

Maximum depth you've used in the past?

I have gone as deep as 0.022 in one pass at 18,000 RPM and 20 IPM. But that is on a 5000 lb machine. Make a few test cuts and see how your machine reacts and the quality of the cut. Then increase the DOC and feed rate. Solid carbide bits like a very stable setup, and are not very forgiving to vibration and chatter.

Use a little coolant, just water will do, a mist is best. I cut at about 8ipm at at 15000
Dave