Aluminum Feeds and Speeds for the Shapeoko - #MaterialMonday

Here are some aluminium recipes for the Shapeoko 3 Desktop CNC and our line of coated endmills.

Cutters used:

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[bux]

May I suggest instead of using a cutting fluid in aerospace experimental machine shop we used coconut oil or griddle fry which was made from coconut oil. Non-toxic safe to breathe. The reason was it would not soak into the grain of the metal and come out in zero gravity like cutting fluids like Tapping fluid.

[janderson]

I was talking with Vince Fab about getting started with my 3/16" ZrN endmill and I found I can run adaptive cutting at 20, 000RPM, CPT=0.0015, 0.1" DOC, and 40% optimal load. It cuts beautifully and I don't have any issues with chatter. Cutting aluminum is super fun and the Shapeoko is a great tool and I love it thus far!

[BradsWorkbench]

Just got done milling brass. Was pretty amazed with the results

[TonyWind]

Thank you WM! This video is gold, I just started cutting Alu with a SO3 XXL and F360 and using the S&Fs shown here I got great results right away!

[Jeffferguson]

I see the S3 cutting like a boss and then remember back at the puny little X-carve barely making it through a license plate a few years ago in one of Bob Claggett's videos. Such a difference.

[gizmoguyar]

This is a fantastic video. I'm thinking about making my own small CNC mill. The issues that gives me pause is that I don't know how strong/stiff the frame needs to be for light cutting such as this. I've always assumed that small, light duty mills like this simply don't have the rigidity to cut cleanly without chatter and resonance. Seeing this video gives me the confidance to move forward. It's actually quite amazing to me that you can climb mill at such high speeds with such a small and flexible mill. Most videos on youtube of people trying this end in massive chatter followed by the aluminum welding to the tool.

[jasonscncvideos]

To get the collet tighter move the bottom wrench to left of the top wrench so that you can squeeze the wrenches together. To release the collet reverse the process.

[ScottPrestonTV]

I've run the DOC much deeper with the 1/4" using Trochoidal Milling. Usually the full length of the material 1/4" or 5/16" plate. It generates much less heat and I don't really need to worry about lubrication or clearing with air. I had so many problems using shallow fast approaches, I'd love it if you could give a video exclusively about this technique using full DOC.

[RichardCournoyer]

BTW LOVE LOVE LOVE that ZrN Coated 1/4" end mill. It's where I tell everyone to start with because I don't think you can break I've tried). So it's a good tool to learn with. Waiting for you to talk about that stop

[jamessloanofficial]

Thanks, Winston! Very well put together video.

[mr.e.]

NYC CNC was able to push this machine to cut at 75 in/min with almost a 100% step

[pdxfunk]

Your 201-Z recipe is pushing 1050 SFM. That is pretty high, especially wihout coolant! Surprised that works and doesn't start welding!

[foxtrot]

i have a hard time chamfering aluminum would love to see a video on that

[donochetti]

Hi I am really greatfull for your videos, they really help me get that initial feeds and speeds. How about finishing passes on aluminum? Same settings but leave say 0.1mm stock for the finish pass or is a smaller/larger chip load recomended? Thank you very much guys

[enyocd]

Winston:
A) You are such a great resource! Carbide was right to snatch you up.
B) Just ordered my XXL and it's now shipping with a "Carbide Compact Router" -- can you give us your impressions and any caveats versus using the Dewalt/Makita? Thanks!

[wolfpacpty]

On a 6mm single flute bit i get 3000mm/min 4.5mm(aluminum) 24000Rpm and 3mm single flute bit i get 1mm aluminum 2000mm 18000Rpm

[hikari-px]

What is the formula how you calculate ?

[resorter]

Winston could you put together some feeds and speed rates for the dewalt doing the same cut you described in this video, but for hard maple.
And can the coated end mills use be also go for wood.

[osmanarslan]

Hello, Thank you for the video. I am interested in buying a shapeoko xxl. I am planning to make a small dolly for myself. Just like Dana Dolly if you have any idea about what it is. It is a 6061 aliminum square plate about 12 inches by 12 inches. It has a mitchell mount in the middle and it also has aliminum 75 mm, 100mm, bowl adapters. I was wondering how can I find out the measurements of those mounts and adapters and put it on the program.

[darrengibbs]

What about the single flute 278 and 282? Do I just divide S&F down based on 1/2 or 1/3 fewer flutes?