What's new
What's new
By:
Advanced search…

Milling End of DOM Tubing

J

Johnnygrant

Plastic
Joined
Feb 20, 2021
Hey guys/gals! I am very new to milling/machining. I would like to know the best way to mill the ends of some DOM tubing. I am making bushing housings for some leaf spring shackles and they need to be exactly 2.5" wide. The DOM tubing is 1.5" x .25" wall.

I have a JET mill/drill. Should I use the tip or side of the end mill to remove excess material off the end of the 2.5" piece of tubing? Also, should I place the tubing vertical or horizontal in the vise? Just looking for the best technique.
 
Johnnygrant said:
Hey guys/gals! I am very new to milling/machining. I would like to know the best way to mill the ends of some DOM tubing. I am making bushing housings for some leaf spring shackles and they need to be exactly 2.5" wide. The DOM tubing is 1.5" x .25" wall.

I have a JET mill/drill. Should I use the tip or side of the end mill to remove excess material off the end of the 2.5" piece of tubing? Also, should I place the tubing vertical or horizontal in the vise? Just looking for the best technique.
Click to expand...

Why not chuck it in the lathe ?

"exactly 2.5" wide" so your tolerance is +/- .125 ?

Belt sander time.....
 
Hello, Johnny. If you're just trying to adjust the length, a lathe would be 1st choice if you have one. Holding a round piece vertically in a vise requires at least one V-block, otherwise it's sure to shift during the cut and that usually trashes your endmill. Gripping the part horizontally and side-milling the ends is much safer assuming your vise has deep enough jaws to reach at least to the halfway point on the tube. Again, if you have a lathe it will be a lot faster.
 
Correct, milling is the wrong way to hit this. assuming you don’t have a decent lathe that can part off 1.5 X .250 easily, saw it to near size in a horizontal bandsaw, (or cold saw, but don’t think you have one), then set up a stop in the lathe (spider or workstop) and turn to length. First a bit oversize, square one end on all, then set to final size and face off the other end.
 
Thanks for the info guys! I don't have a lathe, just a mill/drill. I have a horizontal band saw, just trying to get the right tolerances with a finishing touch.
 
With your tools hold the material horizontally in the vice and side mill to length. Clean one side, flip and clean the other, measure while in vice, cut to final dimension.
 
laying the tube down in the vice will require an end mill with at least 1.5 length of cut....in a mill/drill?
I'd suggest investing in a v_block with tube standing on end
finish 1 side of all of the group
flip and start with finishing 1
once the height is established finish the rest without adjusting spindle height( checking as you go)
 
Put a 1” expanding arbor in the mill chuck and slip the DOM over the arbor. Put a cutting tool in your vice and move the rotating DOM horizontally over the cutting tool. Sorta like an inverted vertical lathe. Since you don’t have a lathe and you may be trying to do this on the cheap you can get the expanding arbor and tool bit from CDCO.com.
Also, since this setup is not a lathe, be cautious about trying to take to big of a bite or you’ll knock your mill out of tram.
 
Gordon Heaton said:
Could be, but 'DOM' and 'bushing housings for leaf spring shackles' make me think round.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that's the case. The only DOM square tube I've ever seen is the 2-1/2" stuff they use for trailer hitch
receiver tubes. They put something through it to remove the slag from the inside seam...
 
Just because you now have a mill does not mean you need to use it for everything. It's just a freaking leaf spring shackle bushing so any precision is wasted. Just cut the tubing off on the bandsaw and get on with life. Plus or minus 1/16" is good enough. Use the mill when a thousandths means something.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Follower rests, and turning DOM tube
Replies
16
Views
1K
Scott70
S
rons
OT: Led tubes. Can you remove/replace components?
Replies
2
Views
387
rons
rons
B
Making a DRAW TUBE for hydraulic chuck.........where to start
Replies
14
Views
1K
WizardOfBoz
WizardOfBoz
WizardOfBoz
Opening up the ID of an aluminum tube
Replies
15
Views
412
boslab
B
R
Bending 1.25" OD water tubes 90º on a JD2, which material to buy?
Replies
16
Views
582
Richard/SIA
R








 

ABOUT PRACTICAL MACHINIST

With more than 10.6 million unique visitors over the last year, Practical Machinist is the most visited site for metalworking professionals. Practical Machinist is the easiest way to learn new techniques, get answers quickly and discuss common challenges with your peers. Register for the world’s largest manufacturing technology forum for free today to stay in the know.

Learn more about us.

STAY CONNECTED

Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Pinterest Twitter Tiktok

Register Become a forum member. Register today.

Sign Up Sign up for our e-newsletter.

© 2024 Copyright Practicalmachinist.com. All Rights reserved.

Back
Top