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Is a 16-finish on aluminum possible with a planer? YES!!!

G Mac

Plastic
Joined
Mar 11, 2021
Location
Hilton,NY
I had an email from a customer last week, wanting to know if I could produce a 16-finish on 6061 aluminum, with the planer. I replied, "probably not."
The customer later said that he would send a sample piece over, and to plane it, then he would test it on his profilometer. I ran the piece, reduced the feed-rate way down, and sent it back to him. He called later, and said after checking it three times, it registered "9" on his tester. Good to know.
 
What was your cutting tool geometry? That would play a big part as well. With my shaper I can make 6061 like glass with a high helix radius tool, light feed and WD40.
 
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Hi, Phil....not sure how accurate the speed-gauge is, but app. 120 sfpm, and I was feeding at 0.005" each pass.I used something similiar to CoolTool.
 
Hi, Mark...not sure how to describe the tool...high-speed bit; I grind a small flat, then hone it with a reamer-stone. I used an oil kinda like CoolTool on it. Feed-rate of 0.005".
 








 
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