Have any of you had success with shaping aluminum with a gentry style table and a porter cable like router?

Are there any issues associated with the relatively high speed of the router and working with aluminum?? Is it a stright forward application for a router?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks ahead of time.

John

:confused:

It works ok. Keep the router speed way up and the feed rate down a bit (depending how rigid your machine is). The smaller the tool, the tougher it is, I have found.

Eric

You need some kind of coolant on the cutter either spray mist or flood. Misters are available though MSC, Mcmaster Carr, Enco, or your local industrial supply shop. If you don't cool the cutter it will load up especially under high rpms.

What would you say a good rate of travel for a 1/4" carbide endmill in 6061 would be with a 3 1/2 hp porter cable router. Gantry is rock solid. Was designed for 4 12hp routers. What would be a good plunge feed rate? How about recomended depth per pass..
Ok same question for 1/8" and 1/2" end mills also.

Donny

What RPM ? Is your rpm variable?

Not quite Sure. I picked up a rpm controll for $15 from Harbor Freight. It slows it down pretty good. But not to a definat speed. No way to dial it in.

Donny