Hi,
The surface on my CNC router is just 1/2" aluminium plate, No T-Slots. While I've been building it, I was using G-Clamps to hold wood down for test cutting purposes. Side pannels will be mounted at the weekend with luck so I can't use the G-Clamps anymore. I was thinking about drilling multiple holes in a matrix formation (for metric M6, 1mm pitch theads). The alu. used is 6082, a good machining grade.
Now I have to make a decision about the tapped holes, as these will be used repeatedly for mounting work, should I invest in a helicoil kit? I'm guess around 40 holes to give me mounting freedom in the future. I'm asking because I read somewhere?? that Alu. was a poor material for threads, while the machine is built on threaded components, these don't really ever get undone, however the mounting tapped holes is a different story as it's likely each job will require a different bolt down combination. Do you think the theads will be destroyed quickly?
Thanks in advance,
Dan