Using wood router bits on the Mini Lathe

[Guy Marsden]

In my video I demonstrate how I used a carbide round over router bit to shape an aluminum rod by holding it in a boring bar quick change holder:

I'm still exploring speeds and feed rates with these bits!

[BuffaloJohn]

I have machined edges on aluminum with a router.
I have cut aluminum stock (round/bar/flat) on a wood chop saw.
And I have also cut sheeting on a table saw.

Some WD40 goes a long way to keep the cutter from clogging...

[Guy Marsden]

yes, as a an experienced woodworker, I use all my woodworking machines on aluminum routinely. chop saw, table saw, router, etc. I don't use WD-40 on those machines so I don't contaminate my wood though. As you could see in my video though I was using a lot of WD-40 on that router bit. I'm still not sure what speed to use, so I was running around 1500 RPM but some people said I should go much slower, since it's not the way the bit was designed to be used it's hard to figure out speeds and feeds. Since the bit is not spinning and there's a lot of surface contact, my intuition said spin the lathe fast.

[tonyfoale]

I'm still not sure what speed to use, so I was running around 1500 RPM but some people said I should go much slower, since it's not the way the bit was designed to be used it's hard to figure out speeds and feeds. Since the bit is not spinning and there's a lot of surface contact, my intuition said spin the lathe fast.

I routinely use these form cutters on a milling machine, mainly for edge rounding on aluminium, and I run the same speeds and feeds that I do with other carbide milling cutters. Although with the larger tools like the one in the video I cut the feed down. Mine have 1/4" shanks and I broke a couple due to a high feed rate. On one like yours I welded a 1/2" shank and now I can run at normal carbide bit feeds for the tool diameter and number of cutting edges.
Feeds are less of an issue with the likely use on a lathe but I would run at the usual RPM for carbide tools on the workpiece diameter. Most lathes do not spin fast enough for small diameter work pieces. Chatter may require modifying the best speed for cutting. 1/4" shanks are a limiting factor for chatter.

[nova_robotics]

Some WD40 goes a long way to keep the cutter from clogging...

I used to use WD40. Stuff stinks, gets everywhere and doesn't stay on the material you're cutting. My current favorite is a can of green rust check. It has absolutely no smell and comes out very thick and sticky. It works amazingly well. If you like WD40 you'll love this stuff.

[Guy Marsden]

I used to use WD40. Stuff stinks, gets everywhere and doesn't stay on the material you're cutting. My current favorite is a can of green rust check. It has absolutely no smell and comes out very thick and sticky. It works amazingly well. If you like WD40 you'll love this stuff.

I actually like the smell of WD-40, I would literally use it as cologne if I could. I buy it in 1 gallon cans locally and use a WD-40 branded squirt bottle which I like a lot. It's shoots a nice narrow stream that I can aim right onto milling cutters etc.

[nova_robotics]

I actually like the smell of WD-40, I would literally use it as cologne if I could.

That's a bold strategy. You a single man?

[Guy Marsden]

That's a bold strategy. You a single man?

Yup! Perhaps wearing WD40 as cologne will attract the right type of gal?

[nova_robotics]

Yup! Perhaps wearing WD40 as cologne will attract the right type of gal?

Might want to switch it up. If makeshift fragrances from the metalworking shop is your thing, you should give this stuff a try to attract the ladies:

[Jon]