I'm running an X2.

Today I was machining some 6061 using 2 flute 1/2" end mills and to to thinking. The workpiece wasn;t getting hot and I was milling dry. Would I be better off with coolant?

I'm honestly not sure when to use coolant and when not to?

I have some mist77 and a Spra-Kool midget setup with compressed air, but I virtually never bother to set it up. should I be using it?

Is there a good read online as to when I ought to use coolant vs. when it's not worth doing?

Some type of coolant is necessary in some situations but not always.
Running dry requires lower feeds and speeds to keep from building up the heat that can weld the aluminum.
Some coated and carbide endmills actually recommend not using coolant ever,
the thermal shock can crack them, not as big a deal cutting aluminum.
I use coolant always with HSS endmills just so that I can go as fast as possible with the best finish.
Here's an article (http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/100302.html)that explains it in detail.
Hoss

I always use coolant, not only does it keep the cuts nice and clean but it clear out all the chips so nothing builds up and is clean! I love using it.


-Jason

Same here - just because the workpiece isn't getting hot doesn't mean your tool isn't, aluminum radiate's heat very quickly (thus it's common use as a heatsink) so basically since it's got more contact with the table/vise/air surrounding it, it's going take on the temp of those, but the tool could (though probably not with the spindle and feed speeds you're capable of, too deep and you'd get chatter before you'd get excess heat) get rather hot shortening tool life.

Always use coolant. Now it's a question of setting ip up with my BOB so it can work with my programs.

-Jason

Jason, always use coolant is not a true statement. While many cutting tools that the hobbyist will use will benefit from coolant in that it does wash away the chips and prevents them from being recut, thereby improving surface finish, and also prevents weld-on, there a quite a few cutting tools in which it is not at all wise to use coolant with. These tools are typically indexable tooling, but there are some solid carbide end mills that you should not use tooling with either. It is always just a good idea to check if you should use coolant. However, if you are using HSS, coolant is always fine.

Pzzz, I meant, always use coolant, not in a general statement as you "always should"


-Jason

Anyone ever spray R134a (computer duster) on aluminum being cut??? I don't have a decent compressor set up yet, and usually just blow the chips out by "mouth".. I was cutting some aluminum one day and had a can of computer duster nearby and figured what the hell, I'll try it.. For about 2 seconds it worked fine, but then the aluminum clung to the 2 flute 1/8" cutter and proceded to weld its way through the AL for about .125" until the endmill snapped, all before I could hit the E-stop mushroom. I thought "WTF" was that, something must have happened.. I tried it again, cutting along normally then a short blast of the duster (it was the air, not can-upside-down liquid) and it started welding through again. This time I stopped it before it snapped, but the AL is so welded onto the Carbide tool that I couldn't pick it off. Wierd. New compressor is on the way, and I never tried it again, although I want to see if I can create some fun welded-aluminum toolpaths on purpose doing this.. Could make some interesting surface art.

i have a problem please help me out (fanu control litZ)
when i tool change , the massage says that u have 2 tools in position
and the coursal is running two position.
once i did power off the machine and on coursal is stop still the massage is spindle is in two position
y it is always happen like that?

i have a problem please help me out (fanu control litZ)
when i tool change , the massage says that u have 2 tools in position
and the coursal is running two position.
once i did power off the machine and on coursal is stop still the massage is spindle is in two position
y it is always happen like that?

thank u