Milling Machine: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
You '''MUST''' be trained before using this machine. Please consult a member who knows what they are doing. You can help a guest with a job but guests are not permitted to use the machine themselves. | You '''MUST''' be trained before using this machine. Please consult a member who knows what they are doing. You can help a guest with a job but guests are not permitted to use the machine themselves. | ||
=== Feeds and Speeds / Feed Direction === | |||
* Learn about feeds and speeds for the cutter diameter and material you are using. Too fast or slow RPM can damage cutters and make it harder to work. | |||
* Learn about cutting direction (climb vs. conventional cutting) and use the correct feed direction. Climb cutting takes more effort on the handwheels! | |||
* (TBD) | |||
=== Tips and Advice === | |||
* Non-metals are okay, but you should use your own tools and be extra careful if you don't know how the material will behave. | |||
* The fine adjust handwheel on the quill is not as accurate as the knee for up/down motion. Lock the quill before milling and use the knee to plunge into the material or to see the height of your cut. | |||
* To change tools in the same collet don't unscrew the drawbar more than a few turns. Tap with a rubber mallet to loosen the collet and change the tool. Push the tool in as far as possible. | |||
* Don't use end mills in the drill chuck! The accuracy will be much lower and you will rish breaking the tool. | |||
* Four-flute end mills cannot plunge as fast as two-flute type. Go easy on it. | |||
* Clean out the spindle before mounting the collet or drill chuck to reduce the runout on the tool. | |||
* Do not mill structural-grade steel. It contains impurities which can damage tools. | |||
* Plan your moves to avoid ruining your part or cutting into the table or the vice. These are expensive for you to replace! | |||
* Pass the material with approx. 1/3 or 2/3 of the tool end covered by fresh material. Do not centre the cutter on the edge of fresh material. | |||
* You can plunge up to 1/2 the cutter diameter per pass. The end mill is not a drill bit! | |||
* Take the cutter away from the material before turning off the motor. | |||
* Do not use oil on aluminum except for drilling or tapping. | |||
=== Supplies === | === Supplies === | ||