Originally Posted by ALLtra Mach  Totally RC is totally correct, the right inserts are a must. You DO NOT want coated inserts for aluminum. Look at what is available for your cutter, call the manufacturer and ask them what grade to use. An aluminum insert will be super sharp, be carful just handling them. Kerosene, wd 40, purpose made coolant, what ever you use, use plenty of it. Spin the tool fast, aluminum will not burn carbide.
With that shallow cut, you will not need a high feed rate to stop chatter, you want to cut very free and easy and it will polish like a mirror. |
I can probably just take the tool to the supply shop near here and get the right inserts. It is just a cheapy import. I have to go up there so I will take it with me once the snows let up.
I tried the sander yesterday and it worked pretty well. It took out all the extrusion marks but I need to get a finer grit. I used 120 grit and then had to block sand it with 400 grit to get all the swirlies that the sander made but it leveled the surface without facing it. I think once I get the proper inserts I should be able to use a finer grit on the sander and just block sand it with 800 and polish it from there. After the 400, then the 800, i got a smooth as glass polishing on the metal.
Sure would be nice to just face it and polish it - would save lots of time.
Rick