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breaking bits?
- Thread starter cozmo
- Start date
CheapVehicleWrap
New Member
Endmills? Single pass? Carbide? Misting what?
letterman7
New Member
Yep, not enough info. What type of CNC? Router or spindle? and what wrapsx3 asked...
CES020
New Member
What bit are you using?
1/4" doesn't tell us anything. 1/4" downcut, upcut, 1 flute, 2 flute, etc. Who makes it, what's the model #?
Are you cutting aluminum with a router bit or an end mill? Router bits have a lot more clearance angle on them than end mills, made for cutting aluminum. If I were cutting 1/2" thick material, I'd probably not be using a router bit unless it was all I had. They will work, but an end mill will work better for that application.
It could certainly be a bad collet. Runout with a carbide tool, cutting into metal is a VERY bad thing. Carbide doesn't like to be shocked and uneven cutting loads on the tool caused by a cutter that's running out can break the tool almost the instant it hits the work.
Still need more info. How are you holding the work down? How rigid is the setup? Remember, it's a router, not a milling machine.
1/4" doesn't tell us anything. 1/4" downcut, upcut, 1 flute, 2 flute, etc. Who makes it, what's the model #?
Are you cutting aluminum with a router bit or an end mill? Router bits have a lot more clearance angle on them than end mills, made for cutting aluminum. If I were cutting 1/2" thick material, I'd probably not be using a router bit unless it was all I had. They will work, but an end mill will work better for that application.
It could certainly be a bad collet. Runout with a carbide tool, cutting into metal is a VERY bad thing. Carbide doesn't like to be shocked and uneven cutting loads on the tool caused by a cutter that's running out can break the tool almost the instant it hits the work.
Still need more info. How are you holding the work down? How rigid is the setup? Remember, it's a router, not a milling machine.
theskipman_98
New Member
I use a (refuse to say the name, rack and pinion, 7.5 hp spindle ) 5x10 router table. When cutting 1/4 aluminum I use a 3/16 up cut single flute bit ( hartlauer bit 63-700 series ). I use a 2 nozzle mister spraying oil/water mix in about a 40/60 mix. ( I use Rustlick WS-5050 part number 74016 ).
My speeds with my machine is 30 ipm, 18000 rpm spindle, 3 ipm Z-speed. With this set up I have to do 2 passes to prevent bit breakage, over heating, or ragged edge cut.
On my machinethis gives me a nice clean cut, a good chip load.
One other thing I do is pause the job at intervals, and check the heat on the bit. It should be cool to lukewarm to the touch. While running I will catch some of the chips coming off the bit, they should be very warm to almost hot. The idea being the chips are carrying the heat away from the bit.
Also the "hardness" of the aluminum comes into play. Don't know the hardness of ours, but it is fairly soft.
Hope this helps.
My speeds with my machine is 30 ipm, 18000 rpm spindle, 3 ipm Z-speed. With this set up I have to do 2 passes to prevent bit breakage, over heating, or ragged edge cut.
On my machinethis gives me a nice clean cut, a good chip load.
One other thing I do is pause the job at intervals, and check the heat on the bit. It should be cool to lukewarm to the touch. While running I will catch some of the chips coming off the bit, they should be very warm to almost hot. The idea being the chips are carrying the heat away from the bit.
Also the "hardness" of the aluminum comes into play. Don't know the hardness of ours, but it is fairly soft.
Hope this helps.
omgsideburns
New Member
Wow skip man, this isn't my thread but that was very informative.. thank you.
CheapVehicleWrap
New Member
First, I would guess it's a cheap chinese collet and most likely cheap end mill. Not that those are your only problems. Second collets shouldn't be cranked down as hard as you can possibly go (and don't use a pipe extension). Third, as was said... it's not a milling machine.
theskipman_98
New Member
sounds like you have a collet may be damaged or worn out. Is the spindle nut worn on the inside?
Have you had a bit break up in the collet? Are you using a collet for metric bits on standard sized bits?
Have you had a bit break up in the collet? Are you using a collet for metric bits on standard sized bits?
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