Aluminum

I am casting some aluminum face plates using the LFC method. I was wondering if anyone knows what lathe tool I would use to smooth the face and at what speed. Tommie

Reply to
Tommie
Loading thread data ...

the only time that I turned brass and aluminum, I used files, but has a good idea going...

To take it a step farther, you might make an Oland tool like Darrel did:

formatting link
mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Reply to
mac davis

Tommie,

Even your hss tools will be harder than aluminum face plates, but if I were going to do it, I think I would get some carbide metal-turning bits and make a purpose-built tool to hold them (a drop of CA to secure it and a propane torch to release it when it's dull) and turn them at a high speed, just removing a sliver at a time, with the tool rest as close as you can get it. Not knowing what you have for tooling, it's hard to say what _you_ would use, though. Any of the powdered metal tools would certainly be harder, like the ASP 2030 or

2060 and indeed, even carbon steel is harder, but I don't think I'd go that route. You could also use a square-ended scraper, as far as that goes.
Reply to
Chuck

============================ With a metal lathe, the job would be done with a metal turning cutter bit held in a tool post and moved across the face of the face plate by a hand or powered crank. I assume (with all the uncertainties that go with that) you don't have a metal lathe, and are asking how to do this with a wood turning lathe. How I would do this is to use a small diameter (1/4 or 3/8 in.) spindle gouge with a fingernail grind. Turn the toolrest so it is perpendicular to the lathe bed, and move it up so it is almost touching the face plate casting. Then turn it at a slow speed (500 RPM or less) and take slow cuts like you would on a finishing cut on hard wood. Aluminum cuts like a very hard wood, but has a tendency to gall easily. If you have a way to lubricate the cutting area, it will probably help. HTH

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.

Reply to
Ken Moon

To lubricate Aluminum for machining you will find WD-40 works very well.

Reply to
Bernie Bober

And keep the cutter held firmly at just below center. If you have a metal lathe, all the better. If you have a cross slide type of operation, all the better.

Martin

Reply to
lionslair at consolidated dot net

Hi Tommie

HSS drills will drill alluminium like butter and HSS cutting and scraping tools will cut it readily, the only problem with alluminium is that it needs lubrication or it will stick to the cutting tools edge, I have used cutting oil, diesel fuel and stove oil with success. For your faceplate I would use a thick HSS scraper, keep your toolrest close and take light cuts, keep your cutting speed at about 200 feet per minute and it should work just fine.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Tommie wrote:

Reply to
Leo Van Der Loo

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.