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Thread: Router bits

  1. #1
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    Default Router bits

    Just wanting your thoughts here.
    I want to trim some aluminium in my mini milling machine. Do you think TC tipped wood router bits are suitable for the job ?

  2. #2
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    That won't be a problem at all, have done it myself. Have known blokes to use the same cutters on steel, at a bit lower speed than a router though.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
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    Hi,

    I think they would be a better choice than HSS router bits, due to the cutting edge angle being relatively more suitable for aluminium than the fairly acute edge on the HSS bits. Then of course you could get a router bit ground for metal.

    Cheers

  4. #4
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Yep no probs - put some meths in a spray bottle and use that as a lube/coolant. Works a treat and no mess to clean up. Go easy though you can intoxicate yourself with the vapour if you are not careful.

    Ally boat building BIL uses routers all the time - slightly overfill external corner welds and then routs the excess off using round over bits, comes up a treat.

  5. #5
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    Yes ...... have a go ............ With my RF30 mill I have cut matching dovetails in Aluminium using TC woodcutting router bits. I used kerosene to stop the Al sticking to the cutting edges.

    I have even heard of people using TC router bits to cut steel.

    Bill

  6. #6
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    Default

    I've seen those router bits used in a router on building sites to trim aluminium window frames. Lube was usually a stick of dry lube. Worked well.

  7. #7
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    Default

    I agree with all the comments. I use diesel as a lube for alloy or WD40 on the circular saw. I've mentioned that I've used carbide router bits on steel several times, but has been pointed out there is no rake on the cutting edge so they tend to scrape rather than cut. A diamond or CBN wheel can change that.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  8. #8
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    Thumbs up

    Thanks everyone.
    I used a half inch straight cutter and created a 20deg chamfer to the edge of 6mm aluminium.
    I didn't bother with any lube but wow...cut like a champ and with a nice finish too.
    My end mills cause a lot more vibration.
    Good to know since the cost is good compared to the usual machining cutters and a nice variety of shapes and sizes.

  9. #9
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    Default

    I have done it with the wood router bit on steel also.

    20160721_230016.jpg20160723_172506.jpg

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by jackaroo View Post
    I have done it with the wood router bit on steel also.

    20160721_230016.jpg20160723_172506.jpg
    Nice job.
    My mini mill is using my drill press over an X-Y vice. The wood router bit went nice and smooth

  11. #11
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    I had another job to do where aluminium needed cutting.
    This is an Aldi router table I bought a few years ago. I got it out to trim some timber maybe 12 months after I bought it and suddenly realized the platform surface was all wonky. It looked like whoever finished the work surface did it with a belt sander by hand. Dips and hollows and very uneven.
    So I put it away again until yesterday.
    I made up a jig to route it flat.
    The jig has a couple of scrap pieces of black melamine for the router to slide on which I waxed to make it nice and slippery.

    The lip around the under edge had to be machined first so that when it is place right side up it sits flat and level. I did that by clamping the router table onto four short pieces of 5mm steel rod placed at each corner under the black bits (in between the machined ridges), the routed the edge to make it even all around.
    The table was then flipped and screwed down with right angle brackets then used the jig once again to machine the top ridges all even.
    The router done a great job. Two passes removed about 1.5mm, which is what it took to get the surface even. All done at medium speed 12mm straight bit and no lube and advancing the router very slowly. When finished the cutter was still as sharp as.

    After putting the router table back together I can declare it now work very nice.
    I can see the headlines now, "Router fixes itself".

    P1030506.jpgP1030507.jpg

  12. #12
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    Hi Phaser,

    I have one of those Aldi router tables as well ! The table on mine is nowhere near as bad as you describe yours. The fence I found to be absolute rubbish, I made a new one from a length of Beechwood. I keep promising myself that I will make a purpose designed table, one day, but I don't use it too often. I also found that my big 1/2" spindle router wont fit in the mountings, but the Aldi one does, though it seems slightly small in the recess.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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