Router vs Mill - cutting aluminum once in a while.

[MA$TER_E]

So I was looking into buying a mill. I really liked Noavakon but shipping was going to be insane so I opted for something a little more local, Syil.

Long story short someone mentioned "Hey, why don't you get a router instead?". My reply, "Uhhhh...."

The story goes like this. I'll be cutting hobby stuff out of plastic, balsa, foam, carbon fiber and fiberglass mostly. However, once in a while I'd like to cut some aluminum for my sport bikes. 6061 would be as heavy as it gets and I'm wondering; can I do it with a router?

3D Profiling in aluminum is a concern. I can do some finishing work by hand if I need to but I'm yet to see a good sized profiling project in aluminum done on a router.

Anyone have some guidance for a new guy?

I like the K2 KG-4925-G, would this suffice for cutting aluminum once in a while?


Thanks,

Eric

[MA$TER_E]

Here's a good example of a typical project I'd do in aluminum.

[motorpig]

I'm a noob too and have the exact same question. Anyone with some experience care to chime in?

[Hack]

Yes you can do aluminum with the correct router. Something with decent rigidity. It is not the best, but you can. Looking at the part size you posted, I can see you will be using some small diameter bits. They may benefit from the higher rpm's of the router.

Dan

[tauscnc]

Sure you can,,,

I cut my table flat using my 3925 and a router bit, and also the mount for my router using my router

http://www.cuttingedgecnc.com/boschmount.htm

The answer to the question is how fast do you want to cut. How deep? If it is "faster-you want to cut deeper" than go mill, if you can wait and cut smaller shavings, go router. Personally I have not used my sherline mill due to size...the router just has so much more room. Get the router IMO.

tauseef
www.cuttingedgecnc.com

[MA$TER_E]

Sure you can,,,

I cut my table flat using my 3925 and a router bit, and also the mount for my router using my router

http://www.cuttingedgecnc.com/boschmount.htm

The answer to the question is how fast do you want to cut. How deep? If it is "faster-you want to cut deeper" than go mill, if you can wait and cut smaller shavings, go router. Personally I have not used my sherline mill due to size...the router just has so much more room. Get the router IMO.

tauseef
www.cuttingedgecnc.com

HEY! YOUR THAT GUY! I did a search for On/Off relay for router and I found your site literaly only minutes ago! I read through it and got a lot of good info out of it!

[Mangus]

In my other reply to your other post (in this same sub-forum), I mentioned that I cut aluminum end caps to hold my t-slot table together. There's nothing like using your machine to make parts for your machine.

I bought and use my router for similar purposes - mostly R/C parts and the occasional routing out of electronics enclosures, and other light-duty uses that I'm certain I'll think up. I'm glad to be able to do some light aluminum machining, and it works fine for it.