"Gunner" wrote in message
news
Dija know..that when you put that big chunk of steel that you thought
was 303 in the mill and put your very very best save for this project
3" face mill in the spindle and start the cut and turn on the
powerfeed and its cutting so good that you go and do something
else..and about 2" into the cut the piece of steel you thought was 303
was actually A-2 melts down your special saved for this project
shaving sharp beautiful 3" face mill into a glob of schmutz?

It really does.

Damnit.

Sob.......

Sometimes having Mystery Metal on hand...is not a good thing...

Wimper.....

Gunner

Condolences. Really.

Experience will yield the ability to discern the difference in materials,
minimizing the possibility of a repeat. Remember, the 300 series of
stainless is not magnetic, and possesses a yellow color--not easily confused
with other materials.

Make it a habit to watch your chips when you first start a cut. They speak
volumes about cutting speed and material-------you should have seen the red
flag go up when the chips came off blue. Overheated stainless will be
dark yellow to dark brown.

Using carbide? If so, what grade?

Harold