I'm about cut some aluminum tread plate for the first time and was wondering if anyone has any experience with it. I have a 1/16" , 3/16" LOC 4 flute Hertel bit I plan to use so any suggestions of speeds and feeds would be welcome. I'm guessing I zero my bit on the high spots of the treads?? All tips and suggestions are welcome as well.
Thanks!
How thick is the tread plate? What's your setup? Pictures?
Your bit is 1/16"dia? Possible to get a 1/8" or better "O" or 2 flute? You'll be there all day
making multiple passes and possibly galling the flutes. WD40 for lubricant or you can use air blowing
directly on it. Zero on the high spots. Straight cut bits are good if you dont have a vacuum table. Upcuts like to lift.
I was in a bind once and used a reg 1/8" straight bit (Diablo @ HD), took light passes w/ a mister (WD40)
You could use a larger bit to hog out the letters then come in afterwards w/ smaller bit to tighten
up the sharp corners. Yea, more work but it's better looking.
This is going to be interesting. Aluminum makes a real mess cutting, Years ago when I worked for Boeing they used templates and an overhead router to cut out some parts. They used an oil emulsion for cutting fluid and the chips flew everywhere and stuck to everything along with the cutting fluid. If I remember right they used a 1/4" straight bit. not something I would want to do.
Herb
Wooo... chips from 1/4~1/2" bits are nasty. I have to tape plastic around my legs during the summer
so they dont get in me boots. They do manage to get everywheres. Going down the neck isnt fun.
The rooster tails on them fling the chips pretty good. They burnt my lip once. As for mess, you'll
know I was there as I track it everywhere. I usually get a fist when im home.
Chips from a 1/16~1/8 isnt so bad.
PSA: Do not vacuum Alum chips! They are
HOT