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Cutting Aluminum
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:57 pm
by michaeltoc
I'd like to put a 1/8" roundover on a piece of 1/4" thick aluminum. Has anyone done this using a regular carbide router bit? What speed do you recommend?
I did a quick search on the 'net, and got mixed reviews - some say it's ok others say no.
I dunno.........
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:47 pm
by jimsjinx
I have cut aluminum on the saws, but never routed it before. Wonder what speed you'd use? Someone will enlighten us, I'm sure! jimsjinx
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:29 pm
by boostfan
I have routed slots in Aluminum, but I don't recall the speed. I can tell you it did not seem very happy but it did it.
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:50 am
by JPG
If you decide to try, be sure to secure the workpiece, and NOT try to hold it(or the router). Extremely light cuts are possible. Be ready to accept some irregular edges due to vibration and 'grabbing'.
No I would not recommend it. Both the equipment and the operator would be 'at risk'.
Lubrication would be a good idea(awful messy though). Actually it acts like 'cutting oil'.
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:26 am
by dusty
Aluminum is not that hard to work by hand. Unless you have an awful lot to do, I would work it by hand.
If you create aluminum cuttings around the Shopsmith, clean up real well when done. I recently had a carriage lock freeze on me. When I finally got it resolved, I realized it was aluminum cuttings in the threads if the lock rod.