Tooling for cutting Sheet aluminum on router

[Marshal]

I'm trying to find good tooling for cutting through sheets of 2024 aluminum, 0.016" thick on our router. The issue I have with using a standard endmill is it pulling up on the material, which causes problems since we're holding down with a vacuum table. I tried a straight-flute cutter, thinking that'd help, but it leaves a heck of a burr, which certainly isn't ideal.

 

I'd like to find something 1/16" diameter, that won't pull up on the sheet (so it stays down), and that will leave as little burr as possible. Am I asking for too much? lol

[BW_Hawley]

The Onsrud carbide router bits come in 'upcut' and 'downcut'. Perhaps one will work well for your needs. They sure cut nice.

[Marshal]

The Onsrud carbide router bits come in 'upcut' and 'downcut'. Perhaps one will work well for your needs. They sure cut nice.

 

any suggestions on particular model numbers? I've never used downcut bits, are there any considerations when it comes to spindle speeds and feed rates compared to upcut bits?

[jeff]

Left handed endmill?

Would that help with it pulling up?

[Josh Kinney -Elite Engineering]

I only use Onsrud "63 Series" cutters on aluminum sheet. Just look them up in the catalog. The 3/8" for example is the 63-625.

 

For thin stuff I use masissa particle board and use 3M carpet spray glue to hold it down, along with screws in the corner to keep it from shifting. Use WD40 or a citrus based cleaner to remove the glue.

[35K chipper]

Marshal

just finish a job.

6061 al .031 thick double sticky tape.

35000 rpm at 10.514 ipm with a 1/16 single flute down cut carbide endmill and an exair cold gun.

0.0003 chip load

no burrs!!!!!!!!!!!

the tool is from harvey tool.

.

.

35k

[Marshal]

I only use Onsrud "63 Series" cutters on aluminum sheet. Just look them up in the catalog. The 3/8" for example is the 63-625.For thin stuff I use masissa particle board and use 3M carpet spray glue to hold it down, along with screws in the corner to keep it from shifting. Use WD40 or a citrus based cleaner to remove the glue.

 

I'll have to look into that glue. We use a 3M double sided tape in the mill, stuff does NOT come off without a lot of work, and I'm trying to get away from using that stuff just because of the time we spend removing the adhesive.

 

Marshaljust finish a job. 6061 al .031 thick double sticky tape. 35000 rpm at 10.514 ipm with a 1/16 single flute down cut carbide endmill and an exair cold gun.0.0003 chip loadno burrs!!!!!!!!!!!the tool is from harvey tool...35k

 

35,000? Holy crap lol. Our spindle only hits 25,000. I'll check into the tools though, thanks.