Best bit for Aluminum w/o coolant?

[MychesterCNC]

I'm looking to start cutting aluminum, small passes, but am not set up for coolant. Is there a bit out there at any price that's meant to cut aluminum without coolant? Even at small IPM's? I have a K2 with a 24x24 table, something like that (I got it used, it's very sturdy) and have the original Bosch router in it. A part number, supplier, anything at all would be appreciated, price is not an issue in this instance.

Thanks!

[michaelthomas]

If you're using a router I would look at single O flute bits. Onsrud is the maker of the ones I have used. They are very tolerant since there is a lot of room on them for chip evacuation. I have cut 1/2 plate with a .100" stepdown and a 3/16" bit diameter. 1/4 would have been sturdier, but I needed to interpolate some .201" holes. You can spin them at 20,000 rpm without worry.

A little spritz of wd-40 is very helpful now and then, and you must not let them recut chips left in grooves.

About 30$ for a 3/16".

[MychesterCNC]

Thanks! I'll start with those, just to see how it goes. If anyone else has a suggestion or know of something that will work, please mention it. In the meantime I just found a cheap 1/4" on Ebay that I will be trying out. It's nice to get a clue where to begin, thanks Michael!

[GCoderDave]

Use HSS and cool with a jet of compressed air aimed right at the tool.

[Tkamsker]

Hi
I spent last year around 250 Euros on millers doing 3d in alu.
Without cooling only the swiss 6mm single cutter worked but without cooling live is Short .
The miller has an extreme steep helix. Because alu starts to melt easy and you need get Chips and heat away. So i use now cheap 2 flute cutter but drown them in white cool Emulsion. The livetime and speeds increase dramatically.
My learning is alu means soaking cooling my 5 Cents
Thomas

[Chuck Hammond]

I am no expert by any means, but getting a coolant mister is the way to go. We have 4 large AXYZ routers at work, and I have a KG5050 K2cnc one at home. We use misters at work and it works really well. 18,000 rpm at 90 inches per minute is what we run. I have yet to cut aluminum at home on mine though.

And yes, they dont like to re-cut chips. Forgot to say they are also single flute bits.