Too Much Work For My M-Head?

ncologerojr · Feb 13, 2020

I’ve owned my round ram m-head for about 3 years now, and generally it serves me well. I mostly make small parts and work with aluminum. However I am considering building my own Yoder style power hammer which would require milling several dovetails in mild steel or grey cast iron. The largest dovetail is approximately 8” long x .75” deep x 2” wide. Assuming I’m willing to stand at the machine as long as it takes, do you think I can get this done? Any red flags that I might be missing?

Pic for reference:

Blazemaster · Feb 13, 2020

Sure there are other machines that would make quicker work of it but if an M head is what you have and the part is within its travels it should be able to do that, just will take a bit longer.

ncologerojr · Feb 13, 2020

Blazemaster said:
Sure there are other machines that would make quicker work of it but if an M head is what you have and the part is within its travels it should be able to do that, just will take a bit longer.

Thanks for the re-assurance. That’s been my thought process thus far. I understand that everything takes longer, but for my shop I really like the size of the m-head.

M.B. Naegle · Feb 13, 2020

I assume your machine is hand feed? The Length of the cut is only going to effect your arm muscles. Take multiple lighter depth of cuts and don't crowd the cutter and leave material for a finish pass.

I've found myself using more 2 flute end mills on my machine and less 4 flute and shell-mills. More teeth work faster but require more horse power. Smaller cutters help too, but 3/4" should work fine.

ncologerojr · Feb 13, 2020

M.B. Naegle said:
I assume your machine is hand feed? The Length of the cut is only going to effect your arm muscles. Take multiple lighter depth of cuts and don't crowd the cutter and leave material for a finish pass.

I've found myself using more 2 flute end mills on my machine and less 4 flute and shell-mills. More teeth work faster but require more horse power. Smaller cutters help too, but 3/4" should work fine.

Correct, hand-feed. I’ve definitely felt the muscle burn before! It’s funny, I’ve found myself going to the 2-flute as well.

The type of metalwork I specialize in requires a lot of patience. I’m perfectly fine taking lighter passes if that’s what it takes.

Thanks!

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