Looking for the perfect sized end mill for 5/8 aluminum

[rc-monster mike]

3/16" 2 flute was my favorite tool on the taig. Small enough to not drastically over tax the machine, yet stiff enough to do decent work. The taig spindle can make speeds high enough to make it pretty productive as well.

[project5k]

well, being mostely limited by spindle speed, and normally working with 1/4 inch and smaller endmills, i'm on the warpath to find a way to run the spindle faster.. but thats another thread...

i havent found my rigidity limits yet, but then again, i'm not pushing it too hard, i go as fast as i think sounds good, and isnt vibrating everything in the whole shop... if its sounding like its really grinding away, i back it off a little...

[mc-motorsports]

VFD? There are guys claiming to be running Bridgeport spindles with a normal top speed of 3K at 8K by using a VFD. Something to look into.

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by mc-motorsports VFD? There are guys claiming to be running Bridgeport spindles with a normal top speed of 3K at 8K by using a VFD. Something to look into.

I haven't heard of anyone running a Bridgeport at 8K. I run my BP clone up to 8200, but that's only 50% over its stock 5440 top-end.

Regards,
Ray L.

[rc-monster mike]

Originally Posted by project5k well, being mostely limited by spindle speed, and normally working with 1/4 inch and smaller endmills, i'm on the warpath to find a way to run the spindle faster.. but thats another thread... i havent found my rigidity limits yet, but then again, i'm not pushing it too hard, i go as fast as i think sounds good, and isnt vibrating everything in the whole shop... if its sounding like its really grinding away, i back it off a little...

Small tooling needs rpms - no way around it. I don't think a .25" or smaller endmill will easily tax the x3's rigidity(more like the endmill will break if pushed too hard). The stock 2000rpms on the x3 is pretty near useless for aluminum with small cutters(OK, not useless, just not productive).