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- Feb 1, 2015
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I don't believe that the terms climb and conventional apply to a lathe. The cutter on a lathe is stationary so the only way to feed is to rotate the worki into the cutting edge. Rotating in the opposite direction would create a drag situation.
As to when to use climb vs. conventional milling, whether in a mill, a lathe with milling capability, or a drill press, it depends on a number of factors. As previously mentioned, a mill with any significant backlash should be operated with conventional cutting.
If the mill is tight enough so that the cutting forces don't exceed the frictional drag or cause flexing of the mill frame, and the backlash is minimal, climb milling can be used. Climb milling is preferred for modern machining as backlash is usually under .001" so there is no significant pull. It also results in less power required to make the cut, less tool wear, less chance of recutting chips, and a cleaner cut. Even so, on very heavy cuts, conventional cutting would be used because of tool flex.
Hobby class mills isually have a fairly light frame and are subject to flexing under load so climb cutting should be restricted to light cuts. Every machine has different characvteristics and cutter geometry adds another variable. The best way to determine what is best for you is to experiment for yourself.
As to when to use climb vs. conventional milling, whether in a mill, a lathe with milling capability, or a drill press, it depends on a number of factors. As previously mentioned, a mill with any significant backlash should be operated with conventional cutting.
If the mill is tight enough so that the cutting forces don't exceed the frictional drag or cause flexing of the mill frame, and the backlash is minimal, climb milling can be used. Climb milling is preferred for modern machining as backlash is usually under .001" so there is no significant pull. It also results in less power required to make the cut, less tool wear, less chance of recutting chips, and a cleaner cut. Even so, on very heavy cuts, conventional cutting would be used because of tool flex.
Hobby class mills isually have a fairly light frame and are subject to flexing under load so climb cutting should be restricted to light cuts. Every machine has different characvteristics and cutter geometry adds another variable. The best way to determine what is best for you is to experiment for yourself.
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