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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Gippsland Victoria
    Posts
    733

    Default router bits in lathe to mill aluminium - youtube video

    Have a look at this video. He describes how he made the block.

    Sherline Cross Slide Accessory Block - YouTube

    He used a router bit in his lathe to mill a V groove in the aluminium block.

    I've bumped into this idea a few times in various woodwork forums - using wood router to shape aluminium and have seen some posts where people have said that they use ordinary wood lathe chisels to shape aluminium spindles on a wood lathe.

    Have always been a bit wary about doing this and have never tried using router bits or chisels to shape aluminium.

    Bill
    Last edited by steamingbill; 28th Oct 2013 at 11:20 PM. Reason: inserted last line

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Bill,

    I've used woodworking router bits in the mill to machine both aluminum and brass a number of times. I've also used a 82 degree HSS countersink to mill a V groove in a mild steel plate for use as a finger plate.

    I've also tried machining aluminum using the router but its a bit too fast for my liking.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Griffith NSW
    Posts
    435

    Default

    My school didnt have the funds to justify buying a 1/4in slotting drill for one project, so we used a 1/4in router bit, with a 1/4in shank. The slot we cut was 200mm long in a 6mm thick strip of aluminium. Worked a treat, no damage to the bit and the job came out fine. It liked being spun fast, and some WD40 helped a great deal too, but thats nothing unremarkable for alu.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Gippsland Victoria
    Posts
    733

    Default Okay - will have a go

    Thanks for the tips.

    Will have a go.

    Bill

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