Sheetmetal techniques

[joa]

I’ve been doing some inlay work lately and am wondering if there are any other options for cutting thin metals (brass and aluminum mostly) other than the small two flute endmills I’ve been using. I’ve been racking my brain thinking of how to adapt a metal nibbler to the SB and can’t without lifting up the material to get the bottom of the nibbler underneath. The nibbler won’t plunge from the middle of the sheet either (or create pockets).

Any ideas?

Joa

[sheldon@dingwallguitars.com]

Laser would be the most efficient.

I've had some success with a high-speed air spindle(65000 rpm)and a 2mm carbide bit cutting .025" brass. The lubricant I found worked the best so far was parafin based bicycle chain lube. Flood it on and it flashes off leaving a parafin coating. There is only a slight burr left to remove. Feed speeds had to be kept pretty low - .125" per second if I remember correctly.

[bwclark@centurytel.net]

Mr. Dingwall,

To cut Aluminum or Brass, you would need a high wattage laser. A cheaper and MUCH more economical solution would be a plasma cutter.

Bruce Clark
bwclark@centurytel.net (mailto:bwclark@centurytel.net)