[cncworkdork]

Is there any reason why I couldn't mill steel on my 5000 series so long as I used the proper lubrication and speed/feed rate?

[xjdubber]

I used to install them, multicam always said no mild steel. you can always give it a try do light passes i suppose...

[cncworkdork]

that's what my installer told me but I never could get a straight answer as to exactly what the limitations are. Is it a heat issue? or maybe rigidity? I want to know what to watch out for if I start experimenting.

[xjdubber]

that's what my installer told me but I never could get a straight answer as to exactly what the limitations are. Is it a heat issue? or maybe rigidity? I want to know what to watch out for if I start experimenting.

You have spindle that is meant to work at high rpm's. Steel is usualy cut at low RPM's so heat would definitely be an issue just like cutting anything you need to get your feed and speed right. I dont know if your spindle will have the torque required at the low rpms you would need to run at however at shallow passes it might. Rigidity becomes an issue when your trying to take heavy cuts. As far as the mechanical goes on 5000 series, I'd say they are a fairly rigid machine. Better make sure your z plunges are very slow, plunging hard into steel will be hard on the spindle.