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  1. #1
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    Default Finishing titanium?

    Hi all.
    I cut, turned and threaded a piece of titanium tonight (actually the toolpost lever for my 'new' lathe - just because...).
    I had no trouble at all. Threading was surprisingly eady with loits of threading compound. I used sharp positive rake carbide bits on the lathe. I found it does take some pressure and it's pretty near impossible to take very fine cuts. You have to mean it. However, I couldn't get a good finish to the curved surfaces of the handle end.
    In any other material that would be easy smooth out with a few bits of increasing grades of carborundom cloth. This approach made almost no impression on this material, neither did a file or two that I tried.
    What's the right way to do this in future?
    Cheers,
    Joe

  2. #2
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    Default

    We do alot of titanium at work. I have never machined it but i know all he guys a work hate it.For threading we use sanvick carbide inserts most cylindrical jobs are are left 2 thou oversize and ground to final size. sorry if that didn't help that's as much as i know.
    BETTER TO HAVE TOOLS YOU DON'T NEED THAN TO NEED TOOLS YOU DON'T HAVE

    Andre

  3. #3
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    Default

    Titanium Aluminium alloy? Did you try the emery wet with crc or similar, if you didn't then give it a go it may work out. Try anything like that eg. kero and oil mix or similar, just wet the tape and job with the crc (or whatever) and run a bit of oil from an oil can on it. Hopefully that may sort it.

    Cheers.

    If I'm not right, then I'm wrong, I'll just go bend some more bananas.

  4. #4
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    Default

    I can only suspect that it is a Ti-Al alloy, as it was part of a military tension bar of some sort (threaded both ends, relieved diameter most of its length).
    I'll give a lubricant a try. I used a cutting fluid for turning it.
    Thanks,
    Joe

  5. #5
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    Default

    Hi Joe,

    It varies all over the place depending on the alloy, I've got some that's like soft aluminium to turn, and some other stuff that's more like spring steel... so I guess it all depends of the particular titanium alloy.

    I think it's a suck and see when it comes to an unknown alloy. If it seems hard, I'd try a flap disk... it's good fun to see those brilliant white sparks anyway...

    Regards
    Ray

  6. #6
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    Default

    Joe I know titanium work hardens easily, hence I guess why you were having trouble with the fine cuts. Can I ask where you buy the titanium or was this scrap? I need to buy some at some stage, however my usual sources don't stock it.

    Pete

  7. #7
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    Default

    Hi Pete,

    I've bought titanium tubing rod and sheet from this guy in Latvia..

    rupucis371 | eBay

    Postage is a bit on the slow side, but his service and prices are good.

    Try your angle grinder on some titanium sheeting, you get these brilliant almost blinding white sparks...

    Regards
    Ray

  8. #8
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    Default

    Sorry Peter, I can't help. This piece was given to me. A friend of a friend got it out of the scrap bin at his work. I don't even know who he is....
    Joe

  9. #9
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RayG View Post
    Hi Pete,

    I've bought titanium tubing rod and sheet from this guy in Latvia..

    rupucis371 | eBay

    Postage is a bit on the slow side, but his service and prices are good.

    Try your angle grinder on some titanium sheeting, you get these brilliant almost blinding white sparks...

    Regards
    Ray
    Latvia! Holy Cow I was only going to get mine from the US!!

  10. #10
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    Ueee is offline Blacksmith, Cabinetmaker, Machinist, Messmaker
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete F View Post
    Latvia! Holy Cow I was only going to get mine from the US!!
    Maybe Ray has a thing for northern European titanium

    Sorry its very late and i need some sleep.

    Ewan

  11. #11
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    Default

    Isnt northern European where most of the titanium comes from?

  12. #12
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    Ueee is offline Blacksmith, Cabinetmaker, Machinist, Messmaker
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stustoys View Post
    Isnt northern European where most of the titanium comes from?
    From Wiki, if you can trust it :

    Significant titanium-bearing ilmenite deposits exist in western Australia, Canada, China, India, Mozambique, New Zealand, Norway, and Ukraine.

    Norway and Ukraine, thats northern Europe. (ok, so i'm stating the obvious)
    My brain doesnt seem to want to absorb any other info right now, but i cant seem to see any main areas it comes from

    Ewan

  13. #13
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    Hi Stuart,

    I remember reading somewhere that the Russians had a large slice of the world's titanium resources. So I thought I'd check, and guess what, Australia is the world's largest producer of titanium... who knew, and more to the point where can you buy it?

    But, Latvian titanium is still my favourite...

    Regards
    Ray

  14. #14
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    Well there you go. Thanks guys, I knew we had some, who would have thought we were on top. We should be able to buy it at bunnings!!

    Stuart

  15. #15
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    I think it's like most of our resources, we dig it up to be sent overseas for refining. I always thought that most of the titanium used in the west came out of the USA. Traditionally it's been a material with strong ties to the military and aerospace industries so I guess it's no great surprise to now learn that Russia is also a big producer.

    Pete

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