Large 10 FL EMs?

[Bruce Kanzelmeyer]

Anyone using these large (1-1/2" or 2") 10 flute endmills? I machine alot of 6061 T6 alum and thought they might be good for roughing. But I ended up slowing feedrates way down (under 60 ipm) and taking only 5% dia passes cause anything more seemed to REALLY load up the spindle. Anyone have thoughts on best way to rough out a large 10" x 10" x 32" long alum block? Thanks for any input.java script:void(0)

Head Scratch

[mowens]

My experience has been that, with aluminum, you go for fewer flutes, precisely for the reason you stated, especially 6061; I've found it to be somewhat gummy. 10 flutes sounds like something you might use for titanium or other hard metals.

 

With aluminum you are using higher spindle speeds and feedrates, so the cutter has less time to evacuate the chips. That's why you use fewer flutes; it gives the cutter more time and room to get rid of the chips. If you don't, the cutter loads up, just like you found.

 

For a cutter that big, maybe try a creskut or some other kind of roughing end mill.

[dgriffiths]

Bruce,

 

Check out the M.A. Ford website http://www.maford.com I don't know if they go up into the 1.5" dia range but they will fly through aluminum. Check out the Series 135 and Series 138. Mitsubishi carbide is another one that should tear through what you are cutting. I hope things down the road are well. I will swing by one of these days.

[Bruce Kanzelmeyer]

Thanks Don--good to hear from you! How's everything going?

[Psychomill]

What machine are you on? how much power? what taper? Are you doing this on a router?

 

Why not go to a larger, indexable style cutter. Say 3", 4" or 5"?

 

[daryl_y]

We have been using Pm Plus series 538 and 539 end mills from Clevland Twist Drill They work great in Aluminuum

 

http://www.cuttingtoolsupply.com/Cleveland...us/539/Home.htm