cutting stainless!!!

[refablevi]

I have cut a lot of aluminum on our bot, but always been afraid of the stainless bit they sell on mcmaster carr.
but for 30 bucks, why not give it a shot.
http://www.plasticrouting.com/pdf/StainlessSteel.pdf

thats 1/4" 304 stainless. took about 15 minutes. a little bit oily, but a lot less violent than i was expecting. especially since i do not run with a spindle or alpha motors.

just thought i would see if anyone else had used these.

[Brady Watson]

Very cool, Levi. Thanks for posting your results.

-B

[donek]

I've been very intrigued to try as well. The onsrud rep I talked to said the chips would be almost red hot and the bits have a very limited life. Does that sound like your experience?

Give us feeds and speeds please. Cut depth?

[refablevi]

The bit never even got hot which is good, and the chips were warm but certainly not red hot.
And I ran the same settings from the chart in the link I posted.

Maybe in a larger part that could be a problem. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later.

[donek]

The bit never even got hot which is good, and the chips were warm but certainly not red hot.
And I ran the same settings from the chart in the link I posted.

Maybe in a larger part that could be a problem. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later.

Never tried the link. Sorry.

Which had the better finish? The climb or conventional cut side?

[refablevi]

I believe I ran it in climb
And the conventional side may have been a hair better

[knight_toolworks]

myself I will still send those jobs out to the waterjet guy. His cost on materials is so low it does not make sense for me to even try it.

[cabnet636]

I would be curious if it would make cutting Aluminum better?

[ssflyer]

Levi,

That's pretty cool - I'd never have even considered cutting stainless on a 'bot - not even with a spindle. Damn stuff is just too tough - it can be a pain on a real mill...

James - interesting question, but I doubt it - aluminum, being so soft requires a different helix, I believe.

Steve - I agree for any quantity, but how cool to be able to cut the couple of pieces you need -and the bits are cheaper than my tapered ball noses! Most places around here have minimum orders that are higher than the bit cost (by a lot) to take the job...

I'd like to see what alloys are best with these bits -

[coryatjohn]

I'm curious to know what it sounded like. I can just imagine the sound of a couple of cats having at it.

[refablevi]

honestly the sound wasnt bad at all. It far surpassed my expectation thats for sure. it was pretty quiet and since the pass depth was so low it was very easy going.
i send out a lot of things, but when you just need a flange or a bracket made real quick you cant beat a 15 minute turn around :D

as for aluminum i cut that all the time on our bot. with a porter cable. just run it in climb and follow these instructions.
http://www.refabstudio.com/how-to-shopbot-aluminum/

[cabnet636]

Thanks Levi !! that is well done