Tom Gardner wrote:
I get to make a boatload of small accurate parts from 6061 Al, mostly 1/2"
stock. I sooo like Aluminum! I bought a bunch of different size stock bars
from McMaster, they deliver the SAME day, how cool is that! But, squaring
up my sawed pieces with very light cuts in the BP has me a bit confused as
to how I'm getting tiny amounts of swarf that are 'kinda welded on the cut
surface. It seems to scrape off easily. I'm using the side of a new 3/4"
HSS end mill without lube and clamping the pieces in the vise and cranking
the "Y" handle.

Years ago I bought a large amount of Al drops that were some kind of
high-strength aircraft alloy, I don't know what it is but it machines
beautifully and no swarfy-sticky issue. I NEVER though I'd be asking a
speed/feed/lube question but I'm curious as to how I can do this better. Is
the 6061 just softer/gummier? I have 54 more parts to make and as much as I
like doing the work I hate wasting time scraping the parts. I hate cleaning
lube off of them too. Actually, I think I'd much rather just draw the stuff
and have it magically appear on my desk.



I use mineral spirits for cutting, and especially tapping, the gummy
aluminums. It evaporates off the parts fairly quickly. Yes, it is
somewhat flammable, I apply with an acid brush sparingly. Get the
'odorless' variety, while not totally odorless it's not too bad. I've
also applied it out of something like an Elmer's Glue bottle, just
letting it drip from the spout, not squirting it. If you have work
lights close at hand keep it out of them just to be safe.

Regards
Paul


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