Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Use Router for metal work

On aluminium it helps to use paraffin/kerosene as a cutting lubricant to
stop the swarf from sticking to the cutter. WD40 also works well.

Les

>
> As Doug says, you want to use a small bit at small speed. I have had

fairly

> good
> success with 1/8 and 1/2 inch bits. I have a Hitachi M12V, which
> has variable speed. When I worked on aircraft, I was suprised to see
> technicians up on the wing using a router and a template cutting out
> cracked sections of a wing. The wing was about 1/2 inch thick at
> that point. They were using a fairly large Makita plunge router and
> a 1/2 inch bit. One of the guys I worked with told me they would
> cool the blade with beeswax, which I have tried with no significant
> improvement. This would have been 7075, so you can cut fairly
> strong stuff with a sharp bit.
> Eric
>
>
> > Niyom Racharin wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello All,
> > > I am new commer in this field, now I build my own xyz cnc table
> which
> > > its working area is 600 x 1200 x 150 mm
> > > and I mount Makita router N3701 and use it to work on wood and PCB.
> > > Here is my silly question :=
> > > If I change the small router to the bigger model such as

RF1101kit,

> > > Will it be able to work on a metal such as
> > > steel , aluminium or copper ? in slow feed rate.
> >
> > In general, using routers you want to lower the spindle rpm and
> > increase the feedrate, to actually cut sizable metal/wood pieces and
> > get away from just 'rubbing' the cutter. Going to a bigger (more
> > horsepower) spindle is then a good idea (but you may still want
> > to reduce the rpm using an electronic variable control). As always,
> > try to go for a decent feedrate (wood about 150 ipm minimum,
> > 250-325 is very good, 400 ipm max), and spindle rpm around 18,000
> > for a 1/4" dia bit, decreasing to 8-12K rpm for a 1/2" bit.
> >
> > Your positioning motors have to have a decent amount of power
> > for this. If you can't go that fast, you can go slower, the only
> > downside is a faster wearing tool and maybe more smoke in the shop.
> >
> > Regarding metal work, the same principle applies, you don't want
> > to be using a 27,000 rpm bit unless it is 1/8" dia or smaller.
> >
> > Again, the bigger router running at lower rpm (with an auxilary
> > speed control) and faster feed rates is the optimal answer.
> > Extended to its limit, you end up at a Bridgeport with a 5HP
> > spindle, fairly low rpms, and a slow feed (due to the slow rpms).
> > Remember, you want to make chips, not aluminum vapour due to
> > rubbing caused by inadequate feed or a too-high rpm).
> >
> >
> > Doug Fortune
> > http://www.cncKITS.com
> >
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