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aluminium machinery need your help - AletheaLeF - 01-14-2020
I get to do an aluminum blank for a fence and I am curious whether I can put slots in it with the router?I am not sure how thick it is, may say 3/16\'s.Yes you can use a router on aluminium. Use some kind of a fence, a piece of angle iron or a block of hardwood. Use a new bit, an old dull one will cause you problems. Pre-drill smaller holes than the slot width at each end of the slot. Stay back away from the end of the slot about 1/32 of an inch. Make several passes, at a depth of about 1/16 of an inch, per pass. If you can, make the slot with a bit smaller than the finished slot width. Use a 3/16 bit for a 1/4 inch slot. Use a 5/16 bit for a 3/8 inch slot. This will give cleaner slot edges and allow you to accurately make the slot width that you want. You can do this dry, but a little WD-40 oil will give even cleaner slot edges. Also climb mill the last pass on each slot edge to give a better/ smother edge. Climb Milling is pushing the router backwards of the way you normally travel in wood. BenOther related question
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RE: aluminium machinery need your help - lametcalyf - 08-25-2021
What can other machines be used for working with aluminum?
RE: aluminium machinery need your help - clarcsen - 08-25-2021
I often think of unusual ways to solve problems, and in general, I love creativity. Still, I would not have come up to this. The advice to use oil for metalworking is really very good. Even visually, the workpiece seems to get neater. Maybe in your personal experience, there are a couple of stories of successful use of tools not for their intended purpose. I would be more than happy to take a few tips on the spot. I recently purchased a used sandblaster from this site https://www.kitmondo.com/cat/used-metalworking-machinery/ (by the way, I recommend it). Maybe it's possible to find an unusual use for it?