Re: cleaning endmills of aluminum deposits with lye. yay or Nay?
a lot of guys claim to use drain cleaners to clean their carbide end mills of gummed aluminum . I haven't done it myself but I see no reason not to . The only thing I'd question is the reaction on a coated tool , I'm guessing it would probably have an affect on the coat . Either way it's worth a try since the only other alternative is to turf the tool .
HSS I wouldn't bother
Re: cleaning endmills of aluminum deposits with lye. yay or Nay?
Hi Tri -NaOH should be fine for removing Al from the steel tools. They soak AL extrusion tools in it to remove the solid AL so I think its fine for drills and cutters. Peter