I have a CNC'd Super X3 and it just isn't fast enough for small cutters. Has anyone had any success milling with a high speed spindle? I've read a lot of posts about secondary spindles like the Proxxon rotary tool for engraving but I need to do a lot of deep slotting and pocketing in both wood and AL. It looks like my options are eiter a Proxxon rotary tool, a DeWalt laminate trimmer, or a specialty spindle like the ones made by Wolfgang Engineering.
The DeWalt laminate trimmer is the cheapest option, single speed (30k rpm) and should have plenty of power but only has a 1/4" collet and I'm concerned that the runout might be to much. The Proxxon is variable speed and has plenty of collets to chose from. I'm sure it's a great option for engraving but I'm not sure it has enough power for slotting and pocketing. Without a motor, the Wolfgang spindle still costs 50% more than the Proxxon and I have no idea what it's capabilities are.
For AL using a 1/16" carbide 2 flute cutter, ME Consultant recommends 32k rpm, cut depth .0625, cut width .0625, 32IPM for a chip load of .0002
I have no idea what feeds and speeds I'll be using for wood. But I'm looking for any combo that will give a clean cut.
Anybody have any first hand experience.