milling glass

[corpse]

I have a mini-cnc that I'm looking to mill some shapes with glass - not necessarily engraving into the glass, but milling shaped out of the glass, for example flames into a mirror. Do I simply buy a set of diamond coated dremel type tools? like these

[CNCadmin]

That should work.

[caitolly]

High RPM, Light Feed, Lots of Coolant!
One thing, the less expensive or hobby grade diamond tooling may not hold up for very long, you may want to consider buying the real thing.
In my experience machining glass, Borosilicate, also known as Pyrex or Schott glass, it is essential to keep an ample supply of coolant on the tool at all times while in the cut. Remember, heat is the enemy, you also do not want the tool to clog, which would overheat.
It's not science, it's art
caitolly

[digital]

Yeah I would probably consider buying a decent milling tool. Intermac and bavaloni make good tools designed for this job allowing internal water to flow through the tool which stops the tool clogging and heating up. External water is a big factor as well. Like a caitolly mentioned high rpm and a slow feed rate will help. The dremel tools you have mentioned should be good enough for engraving. I don't think they would last to long while milling though. Let us know how you go.

[corpse]

Thanks for the advice everyone... It seems the first step I need to do is to build an enclosure for the machine for running some coolant.. Sort of a side question here, but is there 1 fluid I can use as a coolant/lubricant for cutting cutting both the glass and aluminum? I will be cutting aluminum far more often than the glass..

[caitolly]

Morning,
I thought about mentioning what fluid I use, but had a brain burp, probably from all those clorothanes and other toxic chemicals I've inhaled over the years.
I personaly recommend Boelube water soluble, you would most likely want to use a 20:1 mixture.
The stuff works great for all around machining, I have no problem with rancidity, smell or skin irritation, protects from rusting and best of all it's cheap money.
I use it with my fogbusters and in my big machine (HAAS VF-OE).
Just a footnote: Boelube was developed by Boeing aircraft company, and they machine alot of aluminum!
It's not all science, it's art
caitolly

[Ito-Brazil]

Hello there:

Anyone tryed to machine lens? Not just mill the glass, polish it too..

See you guys!

[jahl69]

I toWould like to learn a little more about Lens making or mirror making on a CNC!! Keep this thread going!!

[skippy]

On the subject of glass I'd like to learn about the possibilities of drape or vacuum or pressure or die forming/molding or a combination thereof. I been searching for quite some time but this is a limited field. Anyone got any leads? I suppose the one place I should have checked but as yet haven't is Yahoo groups.
Skippy

[ghyman]

Just to lighten the mood a little...

Drilling glass is not too terribly difficult, but you have to be careful with the center punch!

[jahl69]

Hey Skippy!! Contact me off this sourse!! In an ATM group I belong to there is a man that may be able to give you some help, he does slumping,makes his own blanks, fuses and does many intresting things with pyrex and other glasses!!
luttrell@ispky.com

[skippy]

jahl69, will do and thanks.
Skippy