I am curious what types of speeds/feeds people are getting with Bridgeport series 1 iron. I know there are a ton of variables............just curious to hear some different experiences, in, say..........6061 aluminum with a 1/2 cutter.

Scott

I'm a "ballpark" kind a guy. I'd start this at 2000 RPM and 15 ipm. And coolant to keep from welding AL on the cutter. Then watch how it cuts and adjust the feed and speed.

DOC is the main variable to change between a really rigid machine and one that is less so. I'd make the first pass at 0.100".

Karl

I used to make microwave parts with my BOSS 9 in Aluminum. I used OSG end mills typically 1/2 diameter but with a fast helix specifically for aluminum. This is going back almost 20 years so technology may have changed. I believe I was using flood coolant, with 2500 RPM and feeds about 24 IPM. I was using canned cycles for hogging out cavities with depth passes in increments of at least .200 inches. I was trying to pay the bills.

George

Thats encouraging. I've been really baby-ing this thing, similar feeds/speeds but very shallow on the depth. Embarassingly only 0.020 - 0.050. Now I'm getting into some 3d contouring and I'm getting impatient. Thanks a lot.

With pretty crappy cutters (old 4 flutes) I am doing 10 - 15 ipm with a ~.5 cutter and a 0.050 depth of cut. I need to get my 6 flute center cutters sharpenned. They work better.

Anything faster and i don't care for the finish.
-jd

I have been using software from predetor software inc. called Machinist tool Box .
Has Excelent Speedand feed calculator. Its way more accurate than the one that comes with the dx2 software . the demo is available from http://www.shopfloorautomations.com/machinist_tool_box.php