Aluminum
I am casting some aluminum face plates using the LFC method. I was
wondering if anyone knows what lathe tool I would use to smooth the face and at what speed. Tommie |
On Wed, 6 Jul 2005 10:45:21 -0400, (Tommie) wrote:
I am casting some aluminum face plates using the LFC method. I was wondering if anyone knows what lathe tool I would use to smooth the face and at what speed. Tommie the only time that I turned brass and aluminum, I used files, but has a good idea going... To take it a step farther, you might make an Oland tool like Darrel did: http://aroundthewoods.com/oland.shtml mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
"Tommie" wrote in message ... I am casting some aluminum face plates using the LFC method. I was wondering if anyone knows what lathe tool I would use to smooth the face and at what speed. Tommie ============================ With a metal lathe, the job would be done with a metal turning cutter bit held in a tool post and moved across the face of the face plate by a hand or powered crank. I assume (with all the uncertainties that go with that) you don't have a metal lathe, and are asking how to do this with a wood turning lathe. How I would do this is to use a small diameter (1/4 or 3/8 in.) spindle gouge with a fingernail grind. Turn the toolrest so it is perpendicular to the lathe bed, and move it up so it is almost touching the face plate casting. Then turn it at a slow speed (500 RPM or less) and take slow cuts like you would on a finishing cut on hard wood. Aluminum cuts like a very hard wood, but has a tendency to gall easily. If you have a way to lubricate the cutting area, it will probably help. HTH Ken Moon Webberville, TX. |
To lubricate Aluminum for machining you will find WD-40 works very well.
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Ken Moon wrote:
"Tommie" wrote in message ... I am casting some aluminum face plates using the LFC method. I was wondering if anyone knows what lathe tool I would use to smooth the face and at what speed. Tommie ============================ With a metal lathe, the job would be done with a metal turning cutter bit held in a tool post and moved across the face of the face plate by a hand or powered crank. I assume (with all the uncertainties that go with that) you don't have a metal lathe, and are asking how to do this with a wood turning lathe. How I would do this is to use a small diameter (1/4 or 3/8 in.) spindle gouge with a fingernail grind. Turn the toolrest so it is perpendicular to the lathe bed, and move it up so it is almost touching the face plate casting. Then turn it at a slow speed (500 RPM or less) and take slow cuts like you would on a finishing cut on hard wood. Aluminum cuts like a very hard wood, but has a tendency to gall easily. If you have a way to lubricate the cutting area, it will probably help. HTH Ken Moon Webberville, TX. And keep the cutter held firmly at just below center. If you have a metal lathe, all the better. If you have a cross slide type of operation, all the better. Martin -- Martin Eastburn @ home at Lion's Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net NRA LOH, NRA Life NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
Hi Tommie
HSS drills will drill alluminium like butter and HSS cutting and scraping tools will cut it readily, the only problem with alluminium is that it needs lubrication or it will stick to the cutting tools edge, I have used cutting oil, diesel fuel and stove oil with success. For your faceplate I would use a thick HSS scraper, keep your toolrest close and take light cuts, keep your cutting speed at about 200 feet per minute and it should work just fine. Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo Tommie wrote: I am casting some aluminum face plates using the LFC method. I was wondering if anyone knows what lathe tool I would use to smooth the face and at what speed. Tommie |
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