Machining Molybdenum on a lathe

[Slaps]

[ger21]

In general, you're more likely to get an answer if you actually ask a question.

[Slaps]

I'm machining 1 inch bar on a cnc lathe.........mostly ID work...drill,bore and 9/16 thread....I'm having a hard time with feeds and speeds...


Any tips

[Slaps]

Anyone out there today?

[Slaps]

This site has been a great help

[TarHeelTom]

There are a few of us out here, but at least in the US, today is a holiday.

I also suspect that there are probably not many members who have ever machined this particular metal.

Those two factors together probably mean that it might take you a while to get a reply.

Are you talking raw molybdenum, or an alloy?

Tom

[laszlozoltan]

Give it time; this is not a machinists call-center. Also, it will help if you lose the attitude and the emoticons too- people are less likely to help sarcastic know-it-alls. Apologize and wait; see what happens.

[Slaps]

I'm not a know it all by any means.....just under a little preasure to get this job going......I forgot it was a holiday..my bad

The meterial is raw molybdenum....it keeps gumming up on me

[laszlozoltan]

I'm sorry I've never worked with that material and have little lathe experience myself.

You say the material is gumming up; I've heard that term in relation to copper- perhaps a quick seach how to deal with copper gumming up turning operation might lead to a few clues to to deal with it.

[blades]

Gumming up can sometimes be cured with the right cutting fluid. With soft gummy materials I've always had better success using a thin fluid as opposed to pure cutting oil. I used to make a mixture of about half cutting oil and half mineral spirits. I've also had overall better success with this mixture over water-based coolant.

[Iron-Man]

This type of metal is used everyday in Physics labs around the world. Although I have not machined this metal yet, I would contact your closest Physics department and ask for information. They would probably be happy to supply it. Check out this link;http://www.daleengineering.com/what_is_molybdenum.html
Unlike tantalum, niobium, titanium and zirconium; molybdenum is not subject to hydrogen embrittlement, because of this property, it is a main component in the ARC-REACTOR.
Or contact them;DALE ENGINEERING A Precision CNC Machine Shop specializing in small to medium size components made from Molybdenum and exotic metals. 3 Alfred Circle Bedford, MA 01730 | Phone: 781-541-6055.

I hope this helps,

Iron-Man

[Slaps]

Gumming up can sometimes be cured with the right cutting fluid. With soft gummy materials I've always had better success using a thin fluid as opposed to pure cutting oil. I used to make a mixture of about half cutting oil and half mineral spirits. I've also had overall better success with this mixture over water-based coolant.

Thanks Blades!!!!

I also noticed higher rpm and sueface speed really did the trick....I turned the coolant off during the threading and squirted tap-magic in the hole and the threads came out real nice...you are so right on the water based coolant..the threads were getting real gummy.