Aluminum plate milled with the M3

[Derek the Admin]

Here's a plate made from quarter inch 6061 aluminum that's a prototype for a project.

I think I had the DWP611 on about 1 or 2. It's an 1/8th inch carbide end mill, run about 750 mm/m, doing a .4mm step down.

http://instagram.com/p/BQGSa2GAwof

http://instagram.com/p/BQGkmwoACpF

http://instagram.com/p/BQGk2Wsgh71

[kevin]

I am still impressed that a machine that costs no more than the M3 mills aluminum so effectively. Then I watch the videos of it milling aluminum and I am even more impressed at the feedrates that it mills aluminum. There's no doubt about it, the M3 is a very capable little machine.

[Derek the Admin]

Thanks Kevin! I think so too.

[mrbigj]

When do we get a sneak peak at the big brother?

[Derek the Admin]

Feb 8, 2017 18:44:36 GMT mrbigj said:

When do we get a sneak peak at the big brother?

Gonna have to wait a bit. Don't want to let the cat out of the bag quite yet.

Here's some more work.... prototyping the new Z plate on what else but the M3. Just seems in keeping with my maker roots to let each model birth the next.

http://instagram.com/p/BQoS3eXlQC7

Here's another just for fun:

http://instagram.com/p/BQovcwCFDfj

And another:

http://instagram.com/p/BQuJke3F-R7

[kevin]

I still can't get over the capabilities of this machine and how quickly it will mill aluminum.

[aforww]

I just got my misting kit in and will be installing it today. I've got some work in 3/4 aluminum to do and I've been doing some research. I think I can get this machine milling aluminum at 40IPM! lol We will see if I break something.

On an unrelated note. An unscientific gauge of your success Derek. I remember when I would google "Millright" CNC I would have to dig up the site through a bunch of crap. Now you're showing up at the top lol.

[Derek the Admin]

Thanks Kevin and Aforww. Google is showing a little respect now. What's even more telling though is seeing who is buying Google AdWords around phrases like MillRight CNC. That's how you know you are making a splash when established companies are spending money to compete with you.

You can definitely mill aluminum at 40IPM. I've been getting a little more aggressive. I'd recommend a 0.3mm stepdown, 0.4mm at the most..... but that's going to be right at the edge at that feedrate. With DWP611 on 1. Your Makita can spin slower though.

[aforww]

Thanks Kevin and Aforww. Google is showing a little respect now. What's even more telling though is seeing who is buying Google AdWords around phrases like MillRight CNC. That's how you know you are making a splash when established companies are spending money to compete with you.

You can definitely mill aluminum at 40IPM. I've been getting a little more aggressive. I'd recommend a 0.3mm stepdown, 0.4mm at the most..... but that's going to be right at the edge at that feed rate. With DWP611 on 1. Your Makita can spin slower, though.

That's the thing, I'm going to be running at 30k! Faster speeds = better surface finish at the expense of heat and critical chip evacuation. Well, if my research and conclusions are correct, I can run 40ipm and 30k rpm using a single flue 1/4" endmill, this puts my chip load at .001" and some change. With the new mister cooling things down and keeping a constant flow of air/lubricant at the cutter, I think I scream through some aluminum and end up with a dang near the perfect surface finish. Oooooh I love experimenting. lol

[mrbigj]

Feb 25, 2017 20:10:17 GMT aforww said:

Thanks Kevin and Aforww. Google is showing a little respect now. What's even more telling though is seeing who is buying Google AdWords around phrases like MillRight CNC. That's how you know you are making a splash when established companies are spending money to compete with you.

You can definitely mill aluminum at 40IPM. I've been getting a little more aggressive. I'd recommend a 0.3mm stepdown, 0.4mm at the most..... but that's going to be right at the edge at that feed rate. With DWP611 on 1. Your Makita can spin slower, though.

That's the thing, I'm going to be running at 30k! Faster speeds = better surface finish at the expense of heat and critical chip evacuation. Well, if my research and conclusions are correct, I can run 40ipm and 30k rpm using a single flue 1/4" endmill, this puts my chip load at .001" and some change. With the new mister cooling things down and keeping a constant flow of air/lubricant at the cutter, I think I scream through some aluminum and end up with a dang near the perfect surface finish. Oooooh I love experimenting. lol

This is so awesome... I can't wait until I can cut some aluminum with mine... Unfortunately, it will be a while, LOL. I've got to put in my dues and do some serious learning on wood and softer materials first. I love seeing the posts and pictures of milling aluminum though, that's really incredible...

[aforww]

That's the thing, I'm going to be running at 30k! Faster speeds = better surface finish at the expense of heat and critical chip evacuation. Well, if my research and conclusions are correct, I can run 40ipm and 30k rpm using a single flue 1/4" endmill, this puts my chip load at .001" and some change. With the new mister cooling things down and keeping a constant flow of air/lubricant at the cutter, I think I scream through some aluminum and end up with a dang near the perfect surface finish. Oooooh I love experimenting. lol

This is so awesome... I can't wait until I can cut some aluminum with mine... Unfortunately, it will be a while, LOL. I've got to put in my dues and do some serious learning on wood and softer materials first. I love seeing the posts and pictures of milling aluminum though, that's really incredible...

It really is. I remember not too long, there weren't very many of us here in the forum and dang near every one of us was a total noob! Most of what I learned, I got from trying to help others answer questions. I'd do a little research, throw some material in the machine and hit the go button. 

My first attempts at aluminum were a disaster. You missed those shenanigans lol. It took me awhile to realize I was going about it all wrong with slow speeds, shallow cutting, and incorrect feed rates. Derek got me squared away there and now I'm trying to push the machine to its limits. I'll be sure to get video of my first attempt. 

[mrbigj]

Feb 25, 2017 20:31:58 GMT aforww said:

This is so awesome... I can't wait until I can cut some aluminum with mine... Unfortunately, it will be a while, LOL. I've got to put in my dues and do some serious learning on wood and softer materials first. I love seeing the posts and pictures of milling aluminum though, that's really incredible...

It really is. I remember not too long, there weren't very many of us here in the forum and dang near every one of us was a total noob! Most of what I learned, I got from trying to help others answer questions. I'd do a little research, throw some material in the machine and hit the go button. 

My first attempts at aluminum were a disaster. You missed those shenanigans lol. It took me awhile to realize I was going about it all wrong with slow speeds, shallow cutting, and incorrect feed rates. Derek got me squared away there and now I'm trying to push the machine to its limits. I'll be sure to get video of my first attempt. 

Well, I'm making those first mistakes with wood, LOL... Thankfully I chose something really soft to do my first cuts on, had a few problems. It cut fine, but I realized I was completely off or had messed up on my "feeds and speeds". The 1/4" MDF was forgiving enough to let it slide without breaking my machine. Next, I need to get my hands on some actual wood, and lay in a real cut. 

Right now, though, my biggest problem is location. It's too loud and messy for it to be in my basement, and it's below freezing out in my garage. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do, but I don't really want to wait another couple weeks or a month for it to warm up. 

Once spring hits, it will live in my garage, most likely, for good. But in the winter, it will just be too cold out there. I need to get something setup in my basement to contain the wood dust, chips, and at least some of the noise. We'll see what I can come up with.

J

[aforww]

Feb 25, 2017 20:37:39 GMT mrbigj said:

Feb 25, 2017 20:31:58 GMT aforww said:

It really is. I remember not too long, there weren't very many of us here in the forum and dang near every one of us was a total noob! Most of what I learned, I got from trying to help others answer questions. I'd do a little research, throw some material in the machine and hit the go button. 

My first attempts at aluminum were a disaster. You missed those shenanigans lol. It took me awhile to realize I was going about it all wrong with slow speeds, shallow cutting, and incorrect feed rates. Derek got me squared away there and now I'm trying to push the machine to its limits. I'll be sure to get video of my first attempt. 

Well, I'm making those first mistakes with wood, LOL... Thankfully I chose something really soft to do my first cuts on, had a few problems. It cut fine, but I realized I was completely off or had messed up on my "feeds and speeds". The 1/4" MDF was forgiving enough to let it slide without breaking my machine. Next, I need to get my hands on some actual wood, and lay in a real cut. 

Right now, though, my biggest problem is location. It's too loud and messy for it to be in my basement, and it's below freezing out in my garage. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do, but I don't really want to wait another couple weeks or a month for it to warm up. 

Once spring hits, it will live in my garage, most likely, for good. But in the winter, it will just be too cold out there. I need to get something setup in my basement to contain the wood dust, chips, and at least some of the noise. We'll see what I can come up with.

J

Dust collection is an absolute MUST when working with MDF. That stuff is horrific on the lungs. Put the 3d printer to work and print ya a dust shoe! If you get a bit comfy with Fusion, you can use this design to print a dust shoe. www.thingiverse.com/thing:1363341.
Forum member Cubitfx did an interesting 3d printed dust shoe. millrightcnc.proboards.com/post/896/thread

You can also use my elcheapo version.
Attachment Deleted

[mrbigj]

Feb 25, 2017 20:47:34 GMT aforww said:

Feb 25, 2017 20:37:39 GMT mrbigj said:

Well, I'm making those first mistakes with wood, LOL... Thankfully I chose something really soft to do my first cuts on, had a few problems. It cut fine, but I realized I was completely off or had messed up on my "feeds and speeds". The 1/4" MDF was forgiving enough to let it slide without breaking my machine. Next, I need to get my hands on some actual wood, and lay in a real cut. 

Right now, though, my biggest problem is location. It's too loud and messy for it to be in my basement, and it's below freezing out in my garage. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do, but I don't really want to wait another couple weeks or a month for it to warm up. 

Once spring hits, it will live in my garage, most likely, for good. But in the winter, it will just be too cold out there. I need to get something setup in my basement to contain the wood dust, chips, and at least some of the noise. We'll see what I can come up with.

J

Dust collection is an absolute MUST when working with MDF. That stuff is horrific on the lungs. Put the 3d printer to work and print ya a dust shoe! If you get a bit comfy with Fusion, you can use this design to print a dust shoe. www.thingiverse.com/thing:1363341.
Forum member Cubitfx did an interesting 3d printed dust shoe. millrightcnc.proboards.com/post/896/thread

You can also use my elcheapo version.

Thanks for the info on that. I will definitely get that going, as soon as I fix my 3d printer. I printed 3 or 4 items every afternoon/evening this week. Unfortunately, I got a little cocky/careless Thursday evening. Nothing too serious, but the extruder is plugged, and I spent my time finishing the Millright instead of cleaning/fixing the 3d printer. Looks like it's really going to be a chore removing the extruder, disassembling the extruder head, and trying to clean it out.

J

[Derek the Admin]

Feb 25, 2017 20:10:17 GMT aforww said:

That's the thing, I'm going to be running at 30k! Faster speeds = better surface finish at the expense of heat and critical chip evacuation. Well, if my research and conclusions are correct, I can run 40ipm and 30k rpm using a single flue 1/4" endmill, this puts my chip load at .001" and some change. With the new mister cooling things down and keeping a constant flow of air/lubricant at the cutter, I think I scream through some aluminum and end up with a dang near the perfect surface finish. Oooooh I love experimenting. lol

Give it a shot, but I think you'll probably end up slowing down. I've cut aluminum with a DW660 before that is fixed at 30k, so it's doable....

As always, post it up!0