I want to machine some aluminum bronze for some bushings but have never
tried to turn it on a lathe. Is it tough and tricks or tips ?

thanks
Mike Miller

Subject: Machining Aluminum Bronze
From: "Mike"
Date: 02/04/04 20:56 GMT Daylight Time
Message-id: m

I want to machine some aluminum bronze for some bushings but have never
tried to turn it on a lathe. Is it tough and tricks or tips ?

Tough as old boots. Not too fast on the spindle speed and a sharp non ferrous
carbide tip sorts it out fine though. It gets stinking hot without coolant as
you machine it though so be sure to let things cool down before aiming for the
final size or heat expansion will mess you about. I generally rough to a few
thou oversize and then finish the parts after they've sat a while. But that's
mainly because I don't use coolant and can't be bothered rigging it up for the
limited amount of turning I do.


Dave Baker - Puma Race Engines (www.pumaracing.co.uk)
I'm not at all sure why women like men. We're argumentative, childish,
unsociable and extremely unappealing naked. I'm quite grateful they do though.

I've done some machining of it. Specific alloy unknown. A metal
warehouse gave me a chunk of it, saying they THOUGHT is was some regular
(Cu/Sn) bronze. What I had doesn't machine too badly, about like other
bronzes, a bit 'grabby', but not awful. Just don't try to solder this
stuff! BAD news there! :-(

Dan Mitchell
==========

Mike wrote:

I want to machine some aluminum bronze for some bushings but have never
tried to turn it on a lathe. Is it tough and tricks or tips ?

thanks
Mike Miller

"Mike" wrote in message
news
I want to machine some aluminum bronze for some bushings but have never
tried to turn it on a lathe. Is it tough and tricks or tips ?


The aircraft stuff that has nickel in it machines a lot like some stainless.

Squeaka squeaka............

Work hardens if you arent careful too, IIRC

--

SVL

The aircraft stuff that has nickel in it machines a lot like some
stainless.

Squeaka squeaka............

Work hardens if you arent careful too, IIRC

Almost like some tool steels in that respect. Take a chip, don't let the
cutter rub or the stuff hardens
up like you won't believe. I was countersinking some wear blocks for 1/4"
flat head socket screws.
Single flute 82 degree TiN coated countersink, decent drill press, low
speed. Let up on the pressure
for about one revolution. Had to finish that one with a carbide burr in a
die grinder!

Bill

Mike wrote:

I want to machine some aluminum bronze for some bushings but have never
tried to turn it on a lathe. Is it tough and tricks or tips ?

I've never had any solid Al-bronze to work with but I have built up some
shafts with AMPCO 200 and turned that down to size. I used TNMP-321
uncoated carbide inserts and it went well. These were in my tool
holders
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/toolholder/toolholder.html
which give 5degrees positive rake. I say uncoated because they are
sharper than coated.

Ted