Steel

[5artist5]

I have avoided cutting any steel with my Taig till now.


I have a piece of 1/4" x 1/4" square bar stock that I want to square up on
the mill.

I am planning to use my 1/4" cutter to do 2 passes per end.

Should I use the slowest spindle speed?

[Dean W]

Is your cutter 2 flute or 4 flute? Carbide or HSS? These things will help you get an answer you can use.

Dean

[5artist5]

It's a 2 flute HSS.

[tikka308]

5artist: I started cutting steel with my taig about 6 months ago and have been pleasantly surprised with it's capability. I've had no trouble with 12L14 or 1018. I've also done a bit of 4140, which works, but is notably tougher.

You NEED to use carbide. HSS just don't last. You'll also need coolant and a way to clear chips. I use the altrax 1/4" 4-flute carbide endmills from enco and run them at 5 IPM, 0.02" DOC @ 1500 RPM.

[dkp_design]

The largest bit I will use on steel is a 3/8" About 4-5ipm, and slowest spindle speed. Flood coolant as well. I use flood cooling on pretty much everything I cut.