- Joined
- May 3, 2017
- Messages
- 1,999
Thanks. I've managed to get some very nice results using carbide, but I suspect that may be more luck than technique. I seem to have achieved the best results with a slow feed rate and a relatively high speed - a 4 1/4" diameter at 800 - 1,000 RPM's seems to me to generate a pretty high tip speed.That is very sharp looking. I ended up with something very similar after doing a couple with the angle. It works very well.
As you your question I have found as suggested above that the closer mill is to perfect tram the worse the results are. Knock it .001 out of tram and the marks go away or mostly anyway. .002 and they are all but invisible.
Also using HSS for the cutter give better surface finish that carbide when working with aluminum.
As to the trailing side messing up a good finish the forward side cut it seems to be 2 things with mill being trammed for 1 and needing a deeper DOC for carbide. If it isn't taking a big enough bite with will really never cut a good finish.
Sounds like your trial and error is pointing you to the same conclusion that I'm seeing.
Regards,
Terry