basic machining

[eicmw]

hi everyone,

can you machine wood with out a cnc router?
as in just a mill. i know that you want a higher spindle speed for wood but what would the minimum speed have to be to not completly ruin the work peice.

thanks inadvanced,
Eric

[camsys]

I used to machine alot of different materials on "standard" metalcutting
machines, and what really makes the difference is your tooling selection.

I've had decent results using 2 fluted end mills (high helix) at about 1000 rpm
in various hardwoods. Straight fluted router bits , however chatter a great deal, but a bit of cut and try on RPM's vs feedrates will most likely get you
where you need to go.

[louieatienza]

If you have a mill, the best thing to do is make yourself a holder for a small trim router that you can attach to your mill. I think an older issue of Home Shop Machinist discusses just that.

Although I use mostly spiral bits in wood, I've had no issues running straight bits; of course, the router has way higher rpm than the mill. But usually for things like panel bits which are large I go no faster than 15k rpm. For some of my smaller bits I may run them up to 22k rpm depending on how hard the material or the feedrate I want to use...

[eicmw]

thanks alot guys. thats exactly what i wanted to hear.
-eric