- 1). Use a roughing end mill in a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) router or manual milling machine to machine steel. Steel is one of the hardest metals to machine, so you must work slowly to avoid breaking the tool. Start at about 400 rpm (revolutions per minute) and feed the tool very slowly. Only take half of the diameter of the tool being used per pass to avoid overloading the tool.
- 2). Use a carbide insert cutter when machining steel on a lathe, regardless of type. Slow rpms and slow feed also apply to carbide cutters for roughing. Use ample coolant to keep the surface of the steel and the tip of the tool cool during the cutting process. Only remove .05 of an inch per pass when using this type of cutter and check the tip often for dulling.
- 3). Use carbide-tipped drill for any drilling operations that you perform. The drilling should be done slowly and always use a center drill to start the hole. This will prevent the drill from walking and snapping. Drills can be used on mills or lathes of either type and come in sizes as small as .05 inch up to more than 1 inch in diameter.
- 4). Use carbide finishing end mills to get a smooth surface on steel. Carbide end mills are for finishing and can be run very fast both in speed and feed due to the fact that they only cut a very small amount of material, roughly .01 of an inch. They can also be used on lathes for starting holes on center for boring bars.
- 5). Utilize carbide boring bars for lathe work on steel. Steel boring bars are not rigid enough to cut steel on a lathe. The carbide boring bar is thinner and more rigid and will not flex nearly as much as its steel counterpart. The tips used are the same as those used in the carbide cutter and need to be changed every so often when the tip is dulled.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -