Milling V Groove in AL

John Gargano

Aluminum

Joined

Jun 15, 2002

Location

Boca Raton, FL USA

• May 28, 2007

• #1

I want to mill a 90 degree V-shaped groove about 0.250" deep in some 6061 AL. Are those 90 degree countersinks ok for this or is there a better type of cutter for this application?

 

J

Jackmo

Hot Rolled

Joined

May 15, 2006

Location

South of Boston, MA. USA

• May 28, 2007

• #2

At that depth I wouldn't use a c'sink. They make 90 deg. ang. cutters one type mounts onto an arbor used for a slitting saw, the other type is all one pc. much like a key cutter.

Jackmo

 

K

Kevin Singleton

Aluminum

Joined

Jun 27, 2005

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

• May 28, 2007

• #3

There are 90 degree carbide mills, either 2 or 4 flute, that would probably be best for this project. I'd do it in a couple of passes, with high speed and feed, and WD-40 or kerosene.

Look for "drill mills" at Enco.

 

S

SLOEIT

Cast Iron

Joined

Mar 28, 2004

Location

Granada Hills, CA

• May 28, 2007

• #4

Couldnt you use a standard (square) endmill...and nod (or tilt) the mill head 45 degrees?

nK

 

L

Limy Sami

Diamond

Joined

Jan 7, 2007

Location

Norfolk, UK

• May 28, 2007

• #5

Quote:- Couldnt you use a standard (square) endmill...and nod (or tilt) the mill head 45 degrees?

By far the best way of doing it, the cutting speed at the centre of a countersink/ small angle cutter is very low, and IME doesn't give a good finish.

Take care. Sami.

 

Forrest Addy

Diamond

Joined

Dec 20, 2000

Location

Bremerton WA USA

• May 28, 2007

• #6

Use a plain vanilla endmill and tilt the head.

 

M

Mr. O

Cast Iron

Joined

Feb 13, 2007

Location

Mi. USA

• May 28, 2007

• #7

I just did a job last weekend, 4 pcs , each with 71 90* grooves. They were .040" deep on .100" centers.... I tilted the head and trammed it to
a 5" sine bar. The job came off without a hitch.
Also had to do 4 matching top straps with slots and clearence holes, also came off without a hitch. Tilt your head and use a sharp endmill
and you will get good results.

 

J

jkilroy

Diamond

Joined

Jul 23, 2004

Location

Vicksburg, MS

• May 28, 2007

• #8

Or a horizontal mill with a double angle cutter will whip the job right out. No titling or tramming required.

 

L

Lew Hartswick

Hot Rolled

Joined

Dec 7, 2003

Location

Albuquerque, NM USA

• May 28, 2007

• #9

Unless it's a LOOOONG peice, why not tilt the work?
(don't have to re-tram the head)
...lew...

 

John Gargano

Aluminum

Joined

Jun 15, 2002

Location

Boca Raton, FL USA

• May 29, 2007

• #10

What do you guys think about the type of cutter shown here:

http://www.discount-tools.com/mosda90-tin.cfm

With this (if its worth a darn) I can turn the piece on its side and not tilt the head. Are these any good?

 

Bluejeep

Hot Rolled

Joined

Aug 3, 2006

Location

Cape Cod, Ma

• May 29, 2007

• #11

It will work, but I don't think it will give you as nice of a finish as a regular (sharp) endmill with either the work or the head tilted.

 

T

Troup

Titanium

Joined

Jun 18, 2007

Location

New Zealand

• Aug 4, 2007

• #12

Cheap carbide Router cutters (intended for wood) make a pretty good job in alu alloy, as long as you don't have lots to do, they can be an economical alternative. They come in a 90 degree v-groove cutter configuration, and cut right to the center (although there will be a little smearing)

Generally speaking aluminium alloys respond quite well to woodworking tools and techniques, even down to a hand plane for chamfering long straight edges, or a skil saw for cutting plate, up to say 6mm

 

W

Wilson Inc.

Plastic

Joined

Jul 1, 2007

Location

Tulsa, OK

• Aug 6, 2007

• #13

Depends on if you need a true 45 deg. in the bottom of the groove. A carbide mill-drill doesn't leave a true V shape, but has a flat on the bottom. I cut about 80 or so grooves in cast iron w/ a single flute carbide etching tool. 1/4 inch one is about $20 I think. Worked great used 2 tools on 40+ parts.